Season of My Enemy

Heroines of WWII #6

by Naomi Dawn Musch

“Get Your Farm in the Fight” - The Realities of WWII Come to a Wisconsin Farm

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.

Only last year, Fannie O’Brien was considered a beauty with a brain, and her future shone bright, despite the war pounding Europe. With her father’s sudden death and her brothers overseas, Fannie must now do the work of three men on their 200-acre farm—until eight German prisoners arrive and, just as Fannie feared, trouble comes too. Someone seems intent on causing “accidents,” and Fannie is certain the culprit is one of the two handsome older Germans—or possibly both. Can she manage the farm, keep the prisoners in line, and hold her family together through these turbulent times?

​Don’t miss these other stories:
The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander
Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson
Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis
A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, World War II, Historical, Christian

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2022

About the author

Naomi loves stories rich in American history, but occasionally writes in other genres as well. She pens stories from the pristine north woods, where she and her husband live as epically as God allows near their five adult children and passel of grandchildren. She has worked as an editor for a small press, a staff writer for an EPA award-winning newspaper, a ghost writer, and has published dozens of magazine and internet articles for the encouragement of homeschooling families and young writers. Naomi is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Lake Superior Writers, and the Wisconsin Writers' Association. She loves engaging with others and always discovering kernels of a new story. She is available for speaking and book groups. Her newest novel is Mist O'er the Voyageur, and she anticipates re-releasing several of her back-list novels in 2019.
Connect with her through her website: http://www.naomimusch.com
FB: Naomi Musch - Author
Twitter: NMusch

Reviews

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book indeed...even though I have read several books already about prisoners of war in various forms, I still learned so much more! There is always more to be discovered of course. This book gave a fascinating insight into how citizens felt and lived during that time; it felt so real as the characters came alive in a sense, as if actually there. Devastating as always to consider the magnitude of the immense sorrow, nightmares, and utter turmoil the world was placed in because of the one evil madman and his followers :( The beautiful way that some families acted towards those prisoners, extending grace instead of understandable hatred was commendable. Not all were die hard Nazis etc but drafted too. A marvelous depiction of life for those near such camps as well as an important theme of not hating the enemy. A touching story of forgiveness as well.... Definitely worth while reading!

[Kristina Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters: Fannie had to be my favorite character. She worked hard and was dedicated to keeping the family farm going. Wolfgang had an interesting backstory, but he seemed a little too perfect.

Language: Clean.

Moral/theme: This novel contained themes of forgiveness, hard work, and loving your enemies.

Plot: Season of My Enemy was a character-driven novel. It focused on Fannie and Wolfgang's day-to-day life and the romance developing between them.

Random comments: I wasn't a fan of the lustful way the prisoners of war acted toward Fannie and her little sister. It didn't happen all the time, but the times it did happen creeped me out. The villain was the worst about this, so the scenes from his perspective were frustrating for me to read.

Romance: Clean. Just a kiss.

Writing: This is the first book I've read by Naomi Musch, and I enjoyed her clear, descriptive style.

Overall: Season of My Enemy was an entertaining read that I'd recommend to those who love Christian fiction, historical romance, and WWII stories.

[Caitlin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Set during WW2, Season of my Enemy transports readers to the 1940s Homefront. After the death of her father and while her two brothers overseas fighting against Germany, Fannie O’Brien steps in to provide for her family. However, when her family’s 200-acre farm becomes too much for her, her brother Jerry, and younger sister Patty to handle, Fannie’s mom finds a solution: Hire out German POWs to work on the farm. From the first time Fannie sees the German POWs on her family’s farm, she vows to hate them. But what happens when the German POWs aren’t the monsters she made them out to be? What happens when one of them befriends her, and she finds herself teetering on the edge of liking him as more than a friend? You’ll have to read to find out!

Alright, it’s review time. To sum up my thoughts, I really enjoyed this book. A storyline featuring German POWs working on your Wisconsin farm? Sign me up! I’m always looking for unique spins on WW2 fiction, and this one definitely fell under that category!

I really liked how the author balanced the character development so well, considering this book is only 256 pages. When you’re working with 100 fewer pages than typical novels, it’s hard to balance both plot development and character development without neglecting one. However, the author balanced this really well. Fannie’s journey from hating the German POWs to wanting to befriend them and pray for their families who were in Germany, not living in the lap of luxury but struggling to survive and put food on the table, was a steady inner change. It wasn’t overnight, or did it happen too quickly; it was a process of Fannie allowing herself to see them not for the uniforms they wore or whose blood flowed through their veins, but for their hearts. Her relationship with Wolf, especially, demonstrated this so clearly.

Speaking of which, I really appreciated how the author didn’t have the focus of the story be on romance. I can think of a dozen ways where the author could have gone down one road and focused on the romance between Fannie and Wolf, and brought this read personally for me down to a 4-star or less. However, the author stayed the course and developed a friendship between Fannie and Wolf before a relationship. Even though this book is fiction, what authors write reflect their values, beliefs, and standards, especially when it comes to relationships. I can’t stress enough how important it is to set an example—a good one—for relationships in fiction. The author did this so well, and the romance was so refreshing to read!

Before I get too bogged down on aspects of the storyline I liked or the author’s take on certain aspects of it, I just want to say: This book is an excellent historical fiction read. It’s got elements of faith, family relationships, working through bitterness and finding forgiveness, intrigue, some romance, and a look into life on the Homefront for women and children who had to fend for themselves while their husbands were fighting the war. A really excellent book and I’d definitely recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Season of my Enemy. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just made me reminisce my days growing up on the farm, working in the bean fields, cultivating the corn, driving the tractors, and the different smells that came with it - the dirt, the sweetness, and the crispness at harvest. How I miss those days! But I got to live vicariously through Fannie O'Brien and her family on their farm in Wisconsin in 1945.

Fannie O'Brien is trying to make the family farm stay running. With the recent death of her father, her older brothers fighting the war in Europe, she and her younger brother need help. Her mother tells them she has applied for the local German prisoners to come and help harvest the various crops. Of this Fannie and her brother, Jerry, are none too happy. To her surprise they actually come and help, do good, work and are just like every other man. Until one makes his ideas known. With the homecoming of her brother, Calvin, his hatred towards them does little to make matters better. But one POW catches her eye and sways her hatred towards all Germans in a different direction.

This was a good book about happenings at the home front of WWII. With the men away, it was on the women's' shoulders to keep things running. The women back then were strong, resilient, and took what was laid before them. Like the author, I had no idea there was a German POW camp near the home I grew up in Iowa either. A great edition to this series.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barron County, Wisconsin 1944-1947

Great addition to the Heroines of WWII Series!

In Season of My Enemy, the focus is on how the war impacted those on the home front. The O'Brien family runs a farm, which has proven difficult with the two oldest sons away at war and the patriarch recently deceased. Fannie does her best to run things with her mother, younger sister and brother. When Mrs. O'Brien recommends the family utilize German prisoners of war to help with harvesting crops, Fannie is less than pleased. Over time though, she begins to realize, the "PWs" are people too.

This novel highlights the struggle for those trying to keep things together back in the states as well as the harm in paint brushing an entire ethnic group.

Engaging novel from beginning to end. Loved the author's note at the end which shared historical details related to prisoners of war and other aspects of the novel.

My gratitude to publisher Barbour for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Pegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's a beautiful picture of the world of WWII seen from the American home front. Most WWII books have to deal with the battles and/or people in Europe caught in the fighting. This story is about the people left behind who worry for their loved ones, deal with everyday sacrifices for the war effort, and try to keep their lives and livelihoods on an even keel. Fannie is one of those people and when her only way to save the farm and feed the troops - including two of her brothers - is to hire German prisoners of war, she reluctantly concedes. And she learns what so many people eventually learn when forced to work side-by-side with the "enemy." They are people too. Some are good, and some are bad. The trouble is telling them apart.

[Liz Tolsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book and a different look at WWII in the United States. Naomi does a wonderful job of portraying life on a Wisconsin farm with all the men gone. And then the German PWs come from the camp to work in the area. Strange things start happening, and someone is sabotaging them. On top of it all, she finds herself attracted to one of the men working on the farm. I loved the detail Naomi put into the book and the sweet, sweet story it was, despite the time era.

[Bethany Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The following review is my honest opinion.

I adore WWII fiction yet most books in the genre follow predictable, clichéd storylines. This novel was a breath of fresh air and I loved reading about the characters' heartaches and struggles through a unique perspective.

The moral of forgiving your enemies shines through without being preachy or boring. I highly recommend it!

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I lived in Wisconsin for eleven years, I never knew that in 1944 German Prisoners of War were housed there. This story shows the reasons why the PWs, as they were known, were used to labor on farms. Rather than languishing in camps, they were paid in script to work on local farms, replacing the men who were overseas fighting for freedom. The author explores the emotions of the American farmers as they are asked to accept help from their enemies. Likewise, the mixed feelings of the prisoners are revealed as they cope with their circumstances.
Ms. Musch shows how the characters, whether American or German, struggle to reconcile the enormity and unfairness of war with their faith. They grow spiritually by getting to know each other individually and by putting Biblical principles into practice. They exhibit forgiveness and acceptance of people on their own merits, not some pre-conceived bias. And of course love blooms!
Well told in an easy way that helps you relate to the characters.
I am really enjoying this series and learning more things about WWII.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishers. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding historical fiction! This is the first book I've read by author Naomi Musch and I was blown away. I loved Season of My Enemy. I am very impressed with the author's impeccable research and marvelous writing style. I have gone on to purchase two more stories by her today! Also, I have read all the stories in the Heroines of WWII series and Season of My Enemy is an excellent addition.

Unbeknownst-to-me, during WWII, Wisconsin had German prisoners of war who helped many farming families plant and harvest crops, and they also worked in canneries while America's own men were off fighting in the war. And I had no idea that "Hitler actually did declare some Jewish blood 'null' in order to keep his war machine operational."

In Season of My Enemy, Fannie O'Brien is now helping her mother and younger brother and sister run the farm after her father's recent death, and her two brothers serving overseas. Her mother signs the farm up for help from the prisoners of war, and Fannie and her brother are not at all happy about it. This story thoughtfully examines the natural instinct to "hate" our enemies, yet as they work together, a fragile trust is formed. Are some of them Nazi's with an evil agenda? Are some of them just like them only on the other side of this war?

"Did her brothers eat well? Rest well? Were they warm and safe? Did they enjoy a fresh breath of summery air and wear clean uniforms like Captain Kloninger did? Did the Germans or Japanese respect the Geneva Convention rules, or did Dale suffer? How was it fair that he might if these PWs did not?"

The characters were so authentic, the beautifully written story kept me turning pages, and I loved every minute of it!

I highly recommend Season of My Enemy by author Naomi Musch!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read and one I was unable to put down until the very end!
I felt like I learned something new from this book that I hadn't know about before.
Great characters with a good plot and the describable places that were in here made me feel like I was a part of this story.
I love this author's stories immensely. This one didn't disappoint and I look forward to the next one.
5 stars for a satisfying read. I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Season of My Enemy is a well written story of survival on the home front during WWII. Exploring raw and authentic topics like discrimination, prejudice, and POW camps, Ms. Musch weaves a sensitive and beautiful story that will satisfy fans of The Greatest Generation.

[Susan Faloon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very touching and thought invoking fiction story about one family and how World War Two impacted them. It feels real as it is told mostly by the thoughts and actions of the main character, Fannie O'Brien, a student who left school to help keep the family farm going. Other characters also share in the telling. Eight German prisoners were assigned to the farm to help with the lack of agricultural workforce at the time. This is a very interesting depiction of how this could have been. The author has done a wonderful job with the characters. Prisoners of war were sent to the United States during the time after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
I learned about the Holocaust over 50 years ago as a school student. Since that time, I tried to fathom how anyone could commit such atrocities on other human beings, especially God's chosen people. In all these years I don't believe I gave much thought to how the German soldiers who weren't immersed in the horrible actions felt when they learned of what had been done. A small part of this story, it certainly made me think.
Forgiveness, anger, courage, fear, sacrifice, faith and honor are just a few of the words I think of when reflecting on the characters in this excellent book. I received an advanced reader's copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley. I want to thank them for the book. This is my own opinion about it.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fabulous, well-written novel shows aspects of World War II of which I was previously unaware. The author brought to life what it was like for women and children to run the farm, and I learned even more in the Author’s Note. I was blessed by the spiritual lessons that are as relevant today as in the 1940’s. Characters are well defined, as is the setting of the Wisconsin farming community.

Fannie’s older brothers were fighting in Europe when their father passed away. One of her brothers, Dale, had been captured and sent to a German prison camp, and the military didn’t know where Cal was. Fannie, her mother, and her younger siblings, Jerry and Patsy, worked hard to keep the family farm operating. Fannie stopped attending the college for teachers and reduced the hours she worked at the library to handle many of the farm chores. It was interesting to learn about different crops, and I loved the Cobblestones of Confidence Pathway!

There were few, if any, migrant workers in Wisconsin in 1944. German prisoners of war being held at a nearby camp were made available to farms and canneries that needed their labor. At least one guard was at each place using PWs. There were strict rules for their behavior and work. Fannie’s mom arranged for prisoners of war to help maintain and harvest crops. Fannie was angry that her mother would have men on their farm who could have been responsible for Cal’s disappearance or Dale’s capture. Realistically, there was no other way to get the work done. She honored her mother and coordinated the work.

Two of the prisoners were older, Wolf, who had been captain of the PWs, and Leo. Jerry was able to set aside his anger and get along with the men, even with the language difference. Patsy, only thirteen, was usually restricted to the house when prisoners were there, only coming outdoors to bring water or snacks. Fannie saw how hard the soldiers worked and how Jerry got along with them, so she lowered her defenses a bit. Even with unusual occurrences, she found herself interested in one of the men who showed kindness and respect to them, and they began a tentative friendship. Some started to learn English, and some attended their church. Fannie learned more about the men and their families, even praying for them when realizing that, just as Americans were drafted into service, many German soldiers fought because they were required to serve.

This novel is well worth reading for those who appreciate women’s WWII fiction! Fannie and her family immediately pulled me in to the story, and I appreciated Fannie’s feelings. She was horrified when seeing newsreels about the German internment and prison camps. I honestly don’t know how I would respond, especially if I had a loved one in a prison camp, but I don’t think grace would have been my first response. I was very pleased with the conclusion in every way. This novel made me think, as well as showed my attitudes in need of adjusting. I highly recommend this novel, and the rest of Barbour’s Heroines of WWII series to women of all ages who appreciate historical Christian fiction of WWII with sound spiritual lessons and appealing, engaging characters.

From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

[Ann's Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely awesome! I love love love this story! I have never read a book that showed WW2 from the Germans side. And while they had a lot of monsters and wicked men in the German army, not all were. Some were forced. Some didn't realize what exactly they were fighting for. I love how this displays how both Germans and Americans had to come to terms that they were both humans and not just monsters who hated people just because they were the "wrong" side of war. This was handled very well and definitely would recommend and reread. Amazing job Naomi and looking forward to reading more of your books!

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has been fantastic. This is the first book (I think) that I've read by this author. Having recently learned a few years ago about PoW camps for German prisoners here in the States, and more specifically in the midwest, I was definitely interested in reading this story.

When I think of what my initial reaction would be if people we were at war with came to work on my farm as a prisoner, I think it would be the same as Fannie's. While they don't want the prisoners there, their family farm will be lost if they don't. Having no men on the farm aside from her younger brother, Frannie decides she'll have to oversee the workers and protect the family.

Her reaction to the men seems pretty realistic and not at all easy. When things start happening around the farm they have to figure out who is causing the issues. I loved that Fannie and her brother are smart enough to notice things and not blame each other.

Of course, not all of the prisoners are bent on disruption and harm. While Fannie tries to keep her defenses up some of the men are able to break through the wall to show her that not all Germans are evil. She has to decide if she's willing to allow any of them to get close enough to be friendly. And if they do, what does that mean?

*I received this book as part of a book tour. I wasn't asked to write a review. This is my personal opinion.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun look at the World War 2 homefront.

The romance in this book was sweet if a bit shallow.

The characters and setting were vivid and real

Content notes: there was a lot of the men noticing Fannie and a couple mentions of them taking note of her figure. There are insinuations of women doing things with the POWs, but always very vague and unconfirmed.
One of the POWs tries to take advantage of Fannie but doesn't get far (i.e. all clothing in place).

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books about World War II, but none has touched my heart the way Season of My Enemy has. I had no idea that German prisoners of the war were brought to the United States to work on the farms to relieve the lack of men because of the war.

The main characters were real, well-developed, and showed great resilience. Even with two brothers in the family in the war, the family set aside hatred for the enemy, welcoming the young German PTS to work on their Wisconsin farm.

The storyline showed the thoughts of the O'Brians, but also how the war was affecting the prisoners. Even with the hardships and horrors of war, the Godly compassion showed through. The story was uplifting and portrayed the hope that burned in their hearts. I felt all the emotions of the family as they came to grips with the division between them and the Germans.

I couldn't put it down and was captivated by the story, its wonderful characters, and the Christian message. The research for the story appeared authentic and left me wanting to learn more. A first read for this author, but now I'm a fan. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily choose to review it. All opinons are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book in the Heroines of WWII and one that I found I was able to relate to very easily. Fannie has to shoulder the responsibility of her family farm while her brothers are away fighting. She has to reluctantly accept the help offered to her, German prisoners of war. I can imagine that would have been extremely difficult to not see those men as a representation of all she and her family had suffered. The portrayal of Fannie of having the gamut of emotions: hate, distrust, acceptance, and then love was very well done.

The contrast shown between her brothers truly showed the attitudes of the men as they returned home from the war. One brother was bitter, while the other brother chose to forgive and let go of the past. I was hopeful that time would heal all wounds for Fannie’s family.

Ms. Musch’s historical notes at the end of the book were enlightening and extremely interesting. I am glad I read them! I learned quite a bit about German PW’s and camps that I never knew before and had a greater appreciation for the book. I enjoyed this book and recommend reading it if you like books filled with faith and forgiveness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celebrate Lit for an eARC of Season of my Enemy. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

[Connie Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fictional stories set during World War II often focus on the men who were sent to Europe to fight for freedom, but this book offers an intriguing alternative. Author Naomi Musch shows the dilemma of a family in 1944, as they attempt to keep their Wisconsin farm going. Fannie O'Brien works as hard as she can but there's only so much that she, her mother, and two younger siblings can do. Mrs. O'Brien finds a solution, but do they really want German prisoners of war on their farm?

The characters in this book are well-developed and I found myself wondering how I would have reacted in the same situation. How can you consider working with them when your loved one is being held in one of their German prisons? Do you judge all Germans by the actions of a few evil men? Musch shares an engaging look at the emotional and physical struggles of the O'Brien family, and she also shows the perspective of the German prisoners. Good men who've been forced to fight but are now being held captive far from their own families. Oh, there are a few exceptions, but this is the case with all men, no matter their nationality!

I love history but I wasn't aware of the tremendous number of German prisoners that were housed in Wisconsin during the latter part of World War II. I appreciate the notes from the author relating what is true and what is imagination, and I also admire the faith theme that is woven into the story. Are we all guilty of prejudice in one form or another? If you enjoy historical fiction and Christian romance, you will want to read Seasons of My Enemy. It is another compelling addition to the Heroines of WWII series from Barbour Publishing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

[ASC Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

~A very interesting and entertaining read!
~I LOVED the look into history from this aspect.
~LOVED the characters and how the author expresses the thoughts and feelings they have.
~LOVE the Christian and Faith scenes though I would have loved even more prayer!
~Exciting twists
~GREAT conclusion and I LOVE how Naomi wraps it all together
~Excellent descriptions
~I LOVED leaning even more about farming as well as History
~Just what I was hoping it would be; a nice Christian read filled with interesting new things for me to learn and great characters to enjoy!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Don't Fence Me In performed by Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters

[Morgan's Endless Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this one has a kind of slow start, I wound up enjoying it quite a bit. I loved the complex conversations and wrestling with the question of who the enemy truly is, and the main couple was great!

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discusses a little known aspect of American history and also is NOT a romance 🥳 (although there is some interest between characters)

[Andrea Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story would have been fantastic if it didn’t feature several major historical inaccuracies and adjustments.

It bugs me when timelines of real events that happened in history are shifted to suit a story’s plot. It’s much better to craft a story’s plot around the provable facts and dates, which gives a realistic what-if to the reader.

In this story, the date of arrival for the German POWs to a specific Wisconsin camp was bumped up by a month, and a song performed by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters was sung by these POWs months before it was even recorded, let alone played over the radio so they could hear it. An even more egregious inconsistency was also featured, but it gives away major plot points to mention it in detail; this historical inaccuracy made a large thread of the plot unrealistic. Also, Germans would have referred to the sport of soccer as football, since soccer is the American term for it and the rest of the world, basically, calls it football.

Moving on to the things I liked about this book because there definitely were some…

The cover was darling with a woman in overalls and a bandanna on her head. I don’t see either of those featured often on covers. This definitely was a deciding factor in my choosing to read this book.

The main family in the story was charming. I loved the dynamics between the siblings. The ebb and flow of tension between them was amazing.

There was also delicious tension between the POWs and the leading lady and her family. This worked well throughout the story.

It was great to see the leading lady was a farmer and a librarian. What a fun mix of interests!

The romance between the farm girl and a German POW was very sweet.

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I loved this book and somehow I totally related to it. My parents experienced WWII on the German side of the War, both the bad and yet some good and my mom told me lots of stories of the kindness of others as they struggled to survive. Something that this story shared as Fannie tries to understand the feelings of the Germans in this story.
This story was a very new viewpoint of the War for me. As Fannie finds herself in charge of the family farm, and with brothers off to War and her father's death, she is faced with a struggle as to how to bring in the crops and feed those who need the crops.

As the German War prisoners come to work the farm, she is concerned about what is causing accidents. Is it the Germans? And if so, which one?

It is a fascinating book and it is easy to read and enjoy. It is written with clarity and it is interesting to see both sides of the story in a new and interesting setting and with a different dimension of the human situation of this time.

Will Fannie succeed in managing their large farm and all the difficulties that she experiences? I highly recommend this very interesting and engaging book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. All thoughts are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading anything by Naomi Musch, but it won't be my last. I really enjoyed this story.

I'm a big fan of WWII-era books, but I'm usually drawn to the ones set overseas. Very rarely do I read any set in the US. (Shame on me!) So I thought this novel was really fascinating. I didn't know anything about the fact that German POWs worked on farms here in the states. I really appreciated learning about that.

I loved getting to know the O'Brien family. They were so real and grounded, and I instantly felt like I was a part of their extended family. I really admired Fanny. After her father passed away and her brothers were drafted, she was the one who had to take over the family farm. She had to sacrifice a lot, but she did it all with grace and hardly a complaint.

I didn't know what to think of the romance, at first, but as the story progressed, it grew on me. And in the end, I was rooting for a happily ever after.

I wouldn't say this story was a fast-paced read, but it was exactly the type of slow and steadily-paced story that I needed. I recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet historical read.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Season of My Enemy is an enjoyable historical romance story by Naomi Musch. The WWII genre is one of my favorites to read, and Musch did not disappoint me with her engaging story of Fannie and her family struggling to keep their farm afloat during the war. The story is a beautiful and captivating account of forgiveness and of unexpectedly finding love in stressful and difficult situations. And as the story develops, the characters begin to recognize that despite the fact of the war, despite the mistrust and ambiguous feelings, there is very little that separates them from the enemy. The writing style is graceful and flows smoothly, and the author has beautifully crafted her characters--characters who are well defined and well rounded with attributes and flaws. I enjoy historical fiction, and the author did a great job portraying the use of German prisoners to help with the workload of farmers and factories while the American men are overseas fighting the war. The situations and emotions that family members on the homefront faced are realistic and sometimes heartbreaking, yet not without hope. Readers who enjoy historical fiction will want to read Season of My Enemy. I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Season of my Enemy was an interesting twist to the WW2 fictional world.

As readers we are used to the normal WW2 stories, right there in the mists of the fighting and survival. In this novel, we as readers saw the side of those left behind, those who had to continue day to day life while hoping and trusting for news from loved ones.

I felt that the fears of Frannie and her family, bringing German POWs into their lives, were realistic and believable. I liked that this novel dealt with the daily struggles and wasn’t a forbidden love between two enemies, but more of a slow build of friendship which helped Frannie and this reader see that not all Germans involved in the war was Nazi’s, some just had no choice.

I also liked how the author used Frannie’s two brothers to show the struggles of the war heroes – letting go, forgiving your enemy versus letting hatred and bitterness take control.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Season of My Enemy is a fabulous story set in Wisconsin instead of overseas during WWII. Fannie O’Brien was a dedicated and working hard to save her family’s farm. She was not sure about having German prisoners coming to the farm to assist. There was tension, unexpected happenings, prejudice, faith issues and eyes being open about the enemy having lives similar to those residing in America. Naomi Musch penned this story in an easy to read format that was engaging and captured issues of trust, discrimination, faith, romance and forgiveness for all. The historical accounts of German prisoners being on American soil and their assistance on farms to help with the agriculture of produce was interesting since it’s not well documented in history books.
I highly recommend this book to historical fans of WWII especially with with the heroine being in America for this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publisher without any obligation to write a positive review. I have shared my own opinion.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The O'Brien family are living in Wisconsin in the midst of World War II. Their brothers are off fighting and they do not have enough workers to run the farm. They hire German PW's to help work the farm.



So many emotions come in to play on how to treat these workers. This is a compelling book on how to treat your enemy! My favorite character was Dale.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own!