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Forever Fleeting
Readers agree, this is a story that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.The world holds its breath. War is imminent. In 1938, Wilhelm Schreiber moves from his small hometown to Berlin, the epicenter of Germany, to begin his adult life. In need of a suit for his new job, Wilhelm wanders into a small shop where fate intervenes. Fate has a name—Hannah Goldschmidt, a beautiful, young Jewish woman hiding her dangerous secret. Wilhelm and Hannah are inseparable but, when Hitler and the German Army invade Poland in 1939, a devastating turn of events befall them and a world at war tears them apart. Throughout the war, Wilhelm and Hannah are forced to experience the most deadly event in human history from Auschwitz to Stalingrad to D-Day, witnessing the worst humanity has to offer but also its best.Will they ever see each other again?Prepare to have your heart broken, mended, and broken all over again. Forever Fleeting brings to life the most deadly event in human history with reverence, passion, and intensity as it seamlessly blends fiction with fact. Experience what readers agree is an incredibly moving journey with a love that stands the test of time.“This book has become easily my favorite historical fiction novel. The characters are written beautifully and take the reader on an incredible, albeit painful journey. The atrocities of war not only in the physical sense but the emotional turmoil war provides is evident throughout. This novel is an incredible journey all should experience.”—Amazon Review
- GenresFiction
485 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2018
About the author
Bret Kissinger
6 books19 followersBret Kissinger lives in rural Wisconsin. In 1997, he watched Titanic in a crowded theater, deeply moved as the film transported viewers through a tale of love and loss. As the credits rolled, he knew he wanted to be a writer. On September 11, 2001, he witnessed history unfold on TV, realizing that history wasn’t confined to the dull pages of textbooks or grainy black-and-white photos—it was lived in a vibrant, sensory world.
Merging his passion for history and storytelling, Bret has authored five novels. His historical fiction works, Forever Fleeting and Gone the Way of the Dodo Bird, capture the resilience and complexity of human relationships during turbulent times. His third novel, The Final Edit, ventures into suspense, weaving a chilling mystery that keeps readers on edge.
Bret’s recent works, The Surviving Remnant and The Winter Tiger & The War Eagle, delve into themes of survival, love, and loyalty. The Surviving Remnant (releasing December 6, 2024) follows a Holocaust survivor wrestling with vengeance and healing, while The Winter Tiger & The War Eagle tells the gripping story of a Soviet sniper and a German pilot whose forbidden love defies the conventions of war.
When he isn’t rewriting his next novel or brainstorming new ideas, Bret enjoys reading, watching movies, going to the gym, and walking.
Merging his passion for history and storytelling, Bret has authored five novels. His historical fiction works, Forever Fleeting and Gone the Way of the Dodo Bird, capture the resilience and complexity of human relationships during turbulent times. His third novel, The Final Edit, ventures into suspense, weaving a chilling mystery that keeps readers on edge.
Bret’s recent works, The Surviving Remnant and The Winter Tiger & The War Eagle, delve into themes of survival, love, and loyalty. The Surviving Remnant (releasing December 6, 2024) follows a Holocaust survivor wrestling with vengeance and healing, while The Winter Tiger & The War Eagle tells the gripping story of a Soviet sniper and a German pilot whose forbidden love defies the conventions of war.
When he isn’t rewriting his next novel or brainstorming new ideas, Bret enjoys reading, watching movies, going to the gym, and walking.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 18, 2025
This book is a five-star must-read. I became deeply attached to the characters and felt fully invested in discovering what their ultimate fate would be. The story delivers a raw and heartbreaking portrayal of love, fate, and the fragile sense of hope that can keep a person alive even in the darkest moments. It’s both beautiful and devastating, capturing the resilience of the human spirit in a way that feels incredibly real. I found myself thinking about the characters and their journeys even when I wasn’t reading, and long after I’d finished the book. A truly moving and unforgettable story.
December 31, 2020
This book is what a historical fiction novel should be! The details put into each character were phenomenal. It combined the ugliness of World War II with the beauty of a love story. I love books that take you through the entire life of the characters. When I put the book down, I honestly missed the characters and wanted more! Highly recommend!
January 19, 2021
Every so often, you come across a book that leaves a significant imprint on your mind, heart and soul: Forever Fleeting did just that in such an immense way. I began this book on January 16th, and January 19th at 3 in the morning I turned the last page of the book. I stayed up late three nights in a row because I simply could not put this book down. I found myself reading this book while I was in the waiting room at my local vet, on my breaks at work, and any other moment of free time I got. The author does a phenomenal job at telling the stories of Wilhelm and Hannah. As an avid reader of WWII historical-fiction, I would easily put this book amongst the top five books I have read, and I have ready many. The author had a special way of making me feel the highs, the lows, the pain and love that Wilhelm and Hannah endured. It takes a special kind of author to make their reader laugh out loud, smile, hold their breath in suspense and shed tears as the story unfolds and this author, Bret Kissinger, did just that.
I won’t give any spoilers, but I will say if you are looking for a book that shows the stories of their characters from start until the bittersweet end of the war, is extremely detailed and meticulously researched and accurate and will pull you into its pages only to get lose and feel like you’re experiencing the story first hand; this is your book.
I can only hope this author will publish more WWII novels because I would definitely read those stories, hands down.
Although WWII was a devastating era and filled with so much turmoil and heartbreak - and this novel is no stranger to that, it still such a beautiful and powerful novel.
I won’t give any spoilers, but I will say if you are looking for a book that shows the stories of their characters from start until the bittersweet end of the war, is extremely detailed and meticulously researched and accurate and will pull you into its pages only to get lose and feel like you’re experiencing the story first hand; this is your book.
I can only hope this author will publish more WWII novels because I would definitely read those stories, hands down.
Although WWII was a devastating era and filled with so much turmoil and heartbreak - and this novel is no stranger to that, it still such a beautiful and powerful novel.
July 18, 2022
Would give 6 stars if I could!!
I wasn't sure what to expect. Most if the historical fiction books I read are written by woman. I started the book, thinking , give it 3 chapters. I became hooked! There were times, things got dark, depressing , not wanting to read about how so many people could follow such evil, masked, as something else . How could 1 human being treat another in such horrible ways! But this was also a story about hope! And good, overcoming bad!
This 1st book written by this author was just magnificient!! It was so good, I am so happy it was so long! Time seemed to fly by, as I read, late into the night ! I looked forward everyday to knowing I had this wonderful book to read each night. I became so engrossed in their stories!
I hope this author sticks to his high standards in his books to follow . I hope he's not rushed to finish by an editor and their deadlines. Brett Kissinger has done a fantastic job, and I look forward to reading another book written by him!
I wasn't sure what to expect. Most if the historical fiction books I read are written by woman. I started the book, thinking , give it 3 chapters. I became hooked! There were times, things got dark, depressing , not wanting to read about how so many people could follow such evil, masked, as something else . How could 1 human being treat another in such horrible ways! But this was also a story about hope! And good, overcoming bad!
This 1st book written by this author was just magnificient!! It was so good, I am so happy it was so long! Time seemed to fly by, as I read, late into the night ! I looked forward everyday to knowing I had this wonderful book to read each night. I became so engrossed in their stories!
I hope this author sticks to his high standards in his books to follow . I hope he's not rushed to finish by an editor and their deadlines. Brett Kissinger has done a fantastic job, and I look forward to reading another book written by him!
December 12, 2020
ABSOLUTELY SUPERB!!
If i could have given this book a 10 i would have!!! The way it was written was excellent, i didn't want to put the book down bc i want to know more about Hannah & Wilhelm, what was going to become of them!! The atrocities that the Nazi did were so horrendous & described in this book just tears at ur heart. I didn't want this book to end, i enjoyed it so much!!!
If i could have given this book a 10 i would have!!! The way it was written was excellent, i didn't want to put the book down bc i want to know more about Hannah & Wilhelm, what was going to become of them!! The atrocities that the Nazi did were so horrendous & described in this book just tears at ur heart. I didn't want this book to end, i enjoyed it so much!!!
March 21, 2022
Forgotten Victims
This book is so good. It reminds us all War and hate has a trickling down affect. There are so many victims that suffer silently and the only medals on their chest are shattered hearts and horrendous memories they don't share with anyone. The author also reminds us how the gift of freedom is never to be taken for granted. Fantastic and touching words to read and make a part of your life.
This book is so good. It reminds us all War and hate has a trickling down affect. There are so many victims that suffer silently and the only medals on their chest are shattered hearts and horrendous memories they don't share with anyone. The author also reminds us how the gift of freedom is never to be taken for granted. Fantastic and touching words to read and make a part of your life.
February 3, 2019
Fantastic! Not too full of romance - enough to be believable. I love how Bret Kissinger combined history of World War Two and romance in a compiling manner. There were a few parts that had me close to tears. It was nice to see Wilhelm and Hannah finally find each other in the end knowing a lot of people never found their loved ones.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2021
Great Read
I have always been intrigued by our history and WW1 and 2 are slowly being forgotten especially by our youth. SO much pain and destruction came from the man Adolph Hitler, his HATE, brutality and torture of not only the Jews but Polish and mentally challenged and so many more was something I can’t even imagine. But, one man turned normal citizens to his way of thinking and millions were gased and killed. This book maybe fiction but he blended the truth of history in.
I have always been intrigued by our history and WW1 and 2 are slowly being forgotten especially by our youth. SO much pain and destruction came from the man Adolph Hitler, his HATE, brutality and torture of not only the Jews but Polish and mentally challenged and so many more was something I can’t even imagine. But, one man turned normal citizens to his way of thinking and millions were gased and killed. This book maybe fiction but he blended the truth of history in.
January 3, 2022
Captivating and makes one believe in the strength of the human spirit
I dated this historical novel with a five. From the very first page I fell in !I've with the two main characters. They demonstrated the resilience of the human spirit. The addition of historical facts made this a page turner. I could not put this book down. I was surprised about the ending.
I dated this historical novel with a five. From the very first page I fell in !I've with the two main characters. They demonstrated the resilience of the human spirit. The addition of historical facts made this a page turner. I could not put this book down. I was surprised about the ending.
January 10, 2025
Writing this review as I wipe the tears that have been falling from my face for the last 30 pages or so. Beautiful characters, beautifully heartbreaking. Forever Fleeting is written in such a way that I could see the scenes unfolding as I read them, almost like a movie. A must read for any WW2 Historical Fiction lovers!
December 28, 2018
Wow
This was a wonderful read. As a lover of WW2 historical fiction, I am impressed. The book is well written taking the reader through th horrible years of the war and generations beyond. It is a story of families, friendships and romance.
This was a wonderful read. As a lover of WW2 historical fiction, I am impressed. The book is well written taking the reader through th horrible years of the war and generations beyond. It is a story of families, friendships and romance.
September 12, 2020
LOVED this book
If you’re looking for a book about WWII with romance, action & historical accuracy (to a point) this is a great book. I couldn’t put it down. The authors way of storytelling is both captivating & poignant. Would highly recommend!
If you’re looking for a book about WWII with romance, action & historical accuracy (to a point) this is a great book. I couldn’t put it down. The authors way of storytelling is both captivating & poignant. Would highly recommend!
June 3, 2021
This isn't a reflection of the story at all because I couldn't read it. The font is very tiny, the type is very light and the margins are tiny, so when I opened the book it was impossible for me to read. I think it is self-published and would have benefitted from a more reader friendly design.
August 7, 2024
Loved this book as it was historical fiction & romance intertwined, 2 genres that i love . it was accurate in events that unfolded in WWII, compelling , hard to put down & beautifully told ! I am a big Bret Kissenger fan!
April 23, 2020
From the very first page it was a book I couldn’t put down!
August 4, 2020
A great story! Best book I have read in a long time!! Highly recommend.
November 6, 2021
Forever Fleeting
This was a awesome book. Hard to read and so many emotions. For a first book this author did a wonderful job.
This was a awesome book. Hard to read and so many emotions. For a first book this author did a wonderful job.
April 9, 2023
This book was so hard to put down. Packed full of emotion, I cried multiple times.
March 27, 2025
DNF - story line was good - reader was awful.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews