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Once in Berlin
Could you spy on the woman you loved?
It’s 1938 and Europe teeters on the edge of war.
In Berlin, life for Mila Nessian – genius mathematician, billionaire and womaniser – is one long party. A spot of rocket science by day, the Third Reich’s prettiest daughters by night. She knows what they whisper behind their hands – that Germany’s most dazzling mind has nothing but a calculator where her heart should be, a sliver of ice instead of soul. She smirks through yet another boring cocktail party and hopes they’re wrong.
Cecelia Balfour is dragged to Berlin by her socialite mother – and it’s the last place she wants to be. Cecelia has lost a lover and worries that her heart is too bruised to ever properly love again. To distract her, to maybe get her back in the game, her cousin at MI6 sets up a play: flirt with Mila Nessian, capture her secrets, lure her back to London.
Because what Mila is working on could steer the course of the coming war. The Nazis want her brilliance, British Secret Intelligence wants her silence, and Cecelia – once she has laughed with her, slept with her, sipped champagne on a zeppelin with her and lost her heart to her – Cecelia wants her love.
Can she win Mila’s trust and save her from the powers that control both their lives?
Tags: Romantic Suspense; Historical Fiction; Historical Romance; Musician
It’s 1938 and Europe teeters on the edge of war.
In Berlin, life for Mila Nessian – genius mathematician, billionaire and womaniser – is one long party. A spot of rocket science by day, the Third Reich’s prettiest daughters by night. She knows what they whisper behind their hands – that Germany’s most dazzling mind has nothing but a calculator where her heart should be, a sliver of ice instead of soul. She smirks through yet another boring cocktail party and hopes they’re wrong.
Cecelia Balfour is dragged to Berlin by her socialite mother – and it’s the last place she wants to be. Cecelia has lost a lover and worries that her heart is too bruised to ever properly love again. To distract her, to maybe get her back in the game, her cousin at MI6 sets up a play: flirt with Mila Nessian, capture her secrets, lure her back to London.
Because what Mila is working on could steer the course of the coming war. The Nazis want her brilliance, British Secret Intelligence wants her silence, and Cecelia – once she has laughed with her, slept with her, sipped champagne on a zeppelin with her and lost her heart to her – Cecelia wants her love.
Can she win Mila’s trust and save her from the powers that control both their lives?
Tags: Romantic Suspense; Historical Fiction; Historical Romance; Musician
597 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2022
69 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Jo Havens
5 books140 followersJo Havens is a Golden Crown Literary Society award-winning author.
Not every romance is sugar-sweet. Sometimes the path to happily-ever-after is narrow, scary, and full of doubts and heartbreak. But it is the grit that makes the pearl. Though it takes time, effort and patience, in Jo Havens' books, love is always the softly glowing beauty on the final page.
In her lesbian romance novels, Jo's characters struggle with their shortcomings, deal with the trials of life and, ultimately, listen to their hearts and do what is right. Love always wins.
Jo lives in Australia with her daughter, and a cat named Howl. She loves to hear from readers. Her debut novel, The Blood We Spill, is a sumptuous sapphic romance with an ice queen assassin, the gorgeous girl-next-door and a journey to true-love that asks both women to challenge their deepest hopes and fears, risk all and, finally, rest lovingly in each other's arms.
Get a free novella set in the same world by signing up to Jo's newsletter at http://www.johavens.com
Not every romance is sugar-sweet. Sometimes the path to happily-ever-after is narrow, scary, and full of doubts and heartbreak. But it is the grit that makes the pearl. Though it takes time, effort and patience, in Jo Havens' books, love is always the softly glowing beauty on the final page.
In her lesbian romance novels, Jo's characters struggle with their shortcomings, deal with the trials of life and, ultimately, listen to their hearts and do what is right. Love always wins.
Jo lives in Australia with her daughter, and a cat named Howl. She loves to hear from readers. Her debut novel, The Blood We Spill, is a sumptuous sapphic romance with an ice queen assassin, the gorgeous girl-next-door and a journey to true-love that asks both women to challenge their deepest hopes and fears, risk all and, finally, rest lovingly in each other's arms.
Get a free novella set in the same world by signing up to Jo's newsletter at http://www.johavens.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 30, 2022
It took me a while to get through this as I'm not usually a fan of historically set stories, but this really surprised me. I loved both our main characters, they’re so different from one another but Haven wrote them so well you can just tell they’re so right for one another. Some of the secondary characters totally blew my mind in their duplicity. It's really kinda brilliant.
March 15, 2022
Featured presentation: Once in Berlin by Jo Havens
Matters of the heart do not follow the laws of mathematics or science…
Cast: Cecelia (Cissie) Belfour is a photographer, fresh from touring Australasia, she joins her mother as part of the entourage for the Duke of Winsor on a visit to Europe. Mila Nessian is a genial polymath involved in numerous projects in Berlin and in even more liaisons with young women.
The Plot: Upon their arrival in Berlin, Cissie learns from her cousin in the British Secret Intelligence that he has a job for her – she must use her feminine wiles to lure Mila to Britain. Or at least learn the secrets of the projects the Nessians are working on to provide Britain with an edge in the coming war.
The blazing: Ms Havens brings the 1930s to life! She fabricates a fascinating fusion of fact and fiction where you can feel the history seep into the fibers of the narrative. The descriptions of the scenery, era and characters’ feelings are rich in detail - some might even claim too rich, but here in this context of excess and grandeur, it fits.
We are immediately confronted with Mila’s playgirl/playboy image, but this is soon followed by hints that she is unfulfilled by what her life provides her with. And this begins the slow reveal of who Mila truly is… Mila is a mathematician in her deepest being, one cannot separate the woman and her brilliance. It is therefore quite fitting that Mila contextualise the world around her and her feelings in mathematical terms. Ms Havens did her research and (to my, albeit ancient, knowledge) all mathematical references are spot on.
The relationship between Mila and Cissie is complex at best and downright toxic at worst. How is this a good thing? Cissie merely meets Mila in her quest to serve the Crown and Mila, well, Mila is only interested in one thing from a beautiful young woman… Their relationship is fraught with guilt and insecurities at first, but over time this becomes less of a factor as the chemistry blooms between them. The chemistry stems from small things that makes a big difference in a relationship: shared interests; willingness to listen; sharing grief for loved ones. They spend time together and get to know each other. Mila is captivated by Cissie’s travels and her experiences abroad, while Cissie pays attention to Mila’s work and the person behind the brilliance and money. Neither of them are blameless - both do things to hurt the other and also sacrifice the truth to make the other feel better. Slowly they venture into a realistic relationship.
Jam! Enough said!
The bright: Jack Nessian and the rest of the crew at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute are outstanding! Ms Havens gives us an adorable supporting cast in Mila’s friends and colleagues, not to mention their housekeeper, Bunty. Once again, the lines between history and fabrication blurs as historical heroes make their appearance next to our fictitious figures.
Hanna is brilliant as the villain. She is part of the Nessians’ circle of friends, but Cissie strikes up a friendship with the fearless pilot without realising the danger of Hanna’s loyalty to the Third Reich… Hanna becomes the embodiment of propaganda and then the face of the impending war as time goes on.
The bleak: There are a few minor hiccups with the writing, but I’m not going to focus attention on it. (Ms Havens clearly went through a lot of trouble to address issues readers highlighted about her debut and her growth as writer is evident.)
The burned-to-ashes: Nothing. Maybe Berlin during the war and the Hindenburg… But that’s just me.
And then The Plot Thickens slowly, as it should in a spy novel - even though our spy is woefully inexperienced. Cissie initially comes across as a klutz, as she almost demolishes all the glassware in her immediate vicinity when Mila is nearby, but this makes Mila take notice of her as something other than just a possible conquest. (It also features much later on when it matters.) We see more of Cissie early on, while Mila remains an enigma which we gradually get to know as Cissie gets closer to her.
The writing style is reminiscent of the era and mirrors the uncertainty of the characters’ emotions and the possibility of war when needed to. The Third Reich is omnipresent, though muted for the most part, throughout the book – think of a thin red thread that eventually bleeds onto the page. And with it comes the realities of the war: the racial slurs; the blatant homophobia; the accepted sexism (more pronounced than usual, at least). Ms Havens does not shy away from the ugliness, but she does not dwell on it past its purpose.
The camaraderie between the scientists/engineers was probably the part that warmed my heart the most! I remember using scientific laws and mathematical equations/contexts to make jokes or describe everyday occurrences at varsity. We would geek out at a social event just because we suddenly realised/grasped something new… And this was just our coursework, nothing earthshattering like the scientists and engineers at the Institute as depicted here. This, coupled with Mila’s beautiful mathematical view of the world, endeared the book to me like few others…
Studio: Independent.
Closing credits: I willingly leave this review based on an eARC copy graciously granted to me by the author.
Matters of the heart do not follow the laws of mathematics or science…
Cast: Cecelia (Cissie) Belfour is a photographer, fresh from touring Australasia, she joins her mother as part of the entourage for the Duke of Winsor on a visit to Europe. Mila Nessian is a genial polymath involved in numerous projects in Berlin and in even more liaisons with young women.
The Plot: Upon their arrival in Berlin, Cissie learns from her cousin in the British Secret Intelligence that he has a job for her – she must use her feminine wiles to lure Mila to Britain. Or at least learn the secrets of the projects the Nessians are working on to provide Britain with an edge in the coming war.
The blazing: Ms Havens brings the 1930s to life! She fabricates a fascinating fusion of fact and fiction where you can feel the history seep into the fibers of the narrative. The descriptions of the scenery, era and characters’ feelings are rich in detail - some might even claim too rich, but here in this context of excess and grandeur, it fits.
We are immediately confronted with Mila’s playgirl/playboy image, but this is soon followed by hints that she is unfulfilled by what her life provides her with. And this begins the slow reveal of who Mila truly is… Mila is a mathematician in her deepest being, one cannot separate the woman and her brilliance. It is therefore quite fitting that Mila contextualise the world around her and her feelings in mathematical terms. Ms Havens did her research and (to my, albeit ancient, knowledge) all mathematical references are spot on.
The relationship between Mila and Cissie is complex at best and downright toxic at worst. How is this a good thing? Cissie merely meets Mila in her quest to serve the Crown and Mila, well, Mila is only interested in one thing from a beautiful young woman… Their relationship is fraught with guilt and insecurities at first, but over time this becomes less of a factor as the chemistry blooms between them. The chemistry stems from small things that makes a big difference in a relationship: shared interests; willingness to listen; sharing grief for loved ones. They spend time together and get to know each other. Mila is captivated by Cissie’s travels and her experiences abroad, while Cissie pays attention to Mila’s work and the person behind the brilliance and money. Neither of them are blameless - both do things to hurt the other and also sacrifice the truth to make the other feel better. Slowly they venture into a realistic relationship.
Jam! Enough said!
The bright: Jack Nessian and the rest of the crew at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute are outstanding! Ms Havens gives us an adorable supporting cast in Mila’s friends and colleagues, not to mention their housekeeper, Bunty. Once again, the lines between history and fabrication blurs as historical heroes make their appearance next to our fictitious figures.
Hanna is brilliant as the villain. She is part of the Nessians’ circle of friends, but Cissie strikes up a friendship with the fearless pilot without realising the danger of Hanna’s loyalty to the Third Reich… Hanna becomes the embodiment of propaganda and then the face of the impending war as time goes on.
The bleak: There are a few minor hiccups with the writing, but I’m not going to focus attention on it. (Ms Havens clearly went through a lot of trouble to address issues readers highlighted about her debut and her growth as writer is evident.)
The burned-to-ashes: Nothing. Maybe Berlin during the war and the Hindenburg… But that’s just me.
And then The Plot Thickens slowly, as it should in a spy novel - even though our spy is woefully inexperienced. Cissie initially comes across as a klutz, as she almost demolishes all the glassware in her immediate vicinity when Mila is nearby, but this makes Mila take notice of her as something other than just a possible conquest. (It also features much later on when it matters.) We see more of Cissie early on, while Mila remains an enigma which we gradually get to know as Cissie gets closer to her.
The writing style is reminiscent of the era and mirrors the uncertainty of the characters’ emotions and the possibility of war when needed to. The Third Reich is omnipresent, though muted for the most part, throughout the book – think of a thin red thread that eventually bleeds onto the page. And with it comes the realities of the war: the racial slurs; the blatant homophobia; the accepted sexism (more pronounced than usual, at least). Ms Havens does not shy away from the ugliness, but she does not dwell on it past its purpose.
The camaraderie between the scientists/engineers was probably the part that warmed my heart the most! I remember using scientific laws and mathematical equations/contexts to make jokes or describe everyday occurrences at varsity. We would geek out at a social event just because we suddenly realised/grasped something new… And this was just our coursework, nothing earthshattering like the scientists and engineers at the Institute as depicted here. This, coupled with Mila’s beautiful mathematical view of the world, endeared the book to me like few others…
Studio: Independent.
Closing credits: I willingly leave this review based on an eARC copy graciously granted to me by the author.
February 19, 2025
Wow what an intense read this was. Havens writes a very detailed book about nuclear fission and rocket propulsion prior to WWII in Berlin. She is mega smart to put this much detail into her books. I’m very impressed. This was also a very long book with a bunch of action in it at the end. Both Mila the scientist and Cissie “ Cecilia” the British socialite were very well developed characters. The attraction was instant but the love took a long time to develop. The scenes where Mila goes into a mathematical fugue state were very well written and so life like. My favorite scene in the book is when Mila takes Cissie to her observatory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2022
I've finished the book!
If I had the ability to read this all in one day I would have. Mila and Cissie are intoxicating characters and an even more voracious couple. The supporting cast, many of them based on real historical figures, all feel unique and add their own humor, wit, and terror to the story. The pacing is riveting. It makes you constantly want to know what is going to happen next, and when my life obligations interrupted getting to experience this narrative I would sigh in frustration. It kept me up late at night, all because I wanted to turn the page and discover what was just around the corner.
The plot beats and twists feel just right. Some of them are heart wrenching, but Jo was excellent at that in her last book. I hoped for at least some of the same in Once in Berlin and was pleasantly given an abundance that felt like just the right amount at the end of the book. It feels fresh, real, and a product of it's own circumstance. It doesn't drag the story down by being focused on for too long. It is lovable, romantic, and gritty. Making this a story worth letting tear into your heart, so it can be patched up again.
The dialogue between characters continued to impress beyond the first fourth of the book. As someone with a hobbyist interest in physics and astrology, I felt right at home laughing along with these characters and being able to enjoy and remember things that I often don't have time for in my daily life anymore. Mila and her co-workers feel like a real natural crew of nerds and geeks making the best of a world that is falling apart around them. I laughed, worried, and cried along with many of them.
If I had a penny for each of Jo's books that have managed to do that to me, I'd have two. Which isn't a lot, but it is testament to her excellent craft as a writer. Especially so for a self-published one. Ms.Havens is one of the best I have found. Her books easily stand up to big name publishers and blockbuster authors.
I hope you keep writing long into the future Jo and your audience grows so that others can appreciate your work. You deserve it.
If I had the ability to read this all in one day I would have. Mila and Cissie are intoxicating characters and an even more voracious couple. The supporting cast, many of them based on real historical figures, all feel unique and add their own humor, wit, and terror to the story. The pacing is riveting. It makes you constantly want to know what is going to happen next, and when my life obligations interrupted getting to experience this narrative I would sigh in frustration. It kept me up late at night, all because I wanted to turn the page and discover what was just around the corner.
The plot beats and twists feel just right. Some of them are heart wrenching, but Jo was excellent at that in her last book. I hoped for at least some of the same in Once in Berlin and was pleasantly given an abundance that felt like just the right amount at the end of the book. It feels fresh, real, and a product of it's own circumstance. It doesn't drag the story down by being focused on for too long. It is lovable, romantic, and gritty. Making this a story worth letting tear into your heart, so it can be patched up again.
The dialogue between characters continued to impress beyond the first fourth of the book. As someone with a hobbyist interest in physics and astrology, I felt right at home laughing along with these characters and being able to enjoy and remember things that I often don't have time for in my daily life anymore. Mila and her co-workers feel like a real natural crew of nerds and geeks making the best of a world that is falling apart around them. I laughed, worried, and cried along with many of them.
If I had a penny for each of Jo's books that have managed to do that to me, I'd have two. Which isn't a lot, but it is testament to her excellent craft as a writer. Especially so for a self-published one. Ms.Havens is one of the best I have found. Her books easily stand up to big name publishers and blockbuster authors.
I hope you keep writing long into the future Jo and your audience grows so that others can appreciate your work. You deserve it.
February 11, 2025
10 stars out of 5. This was literal perfection and is going straight to my fave pile. I can't wait to read this author's next work.
September 29, 2022
Recommended to fan of sapphic historical romance. A lot of math, science, astronomy too. A passionate story of someone who finally found their true love with happily ever after ending.
June 19, 2025
Think “A Beautiful Mind” + “Big Bang Theory” but lesbians in 1938 Germany at the brink of World War II. Throw in a boatload of tension, angst, longing, mathematical brilliance, and insecurity and you’ve got this masterpiece from Jo Havens. It is absolutely breathtaking and beautifully written. The math and science is written as a love language for Mila, but it’s also part of a defense she uses against her insecurities. There’s also mental health struggles that are not named but have massive roles in the story.
Cissie (Cecilia) is healing a broken heart as she travels with her mother in Berlin. The story gives me big time Cabaret vibes as the main characters party their way through Berlin with war basically knocking on the door. Harsh changes have already come to Germany but the scientists, Mila included, believe that science is more important than politics, despite the fact that Mila is part Jewish. Plus, it’s Berlin. A haven for artists, literature, theatre, music, and science.
There is subterfuge and hidden motivations from almost every character. Some of those motives are hidden by political ideologies and some are driven by the desire of Mila to succeed and Cissie to find her place in the world. Neither woman has healthy relationships with their parents and they depend extended family, as well as Mila’s colleagues at work. Despite being told over and over that they need to leave Berlin, they stay. Until they don’t. It is not an easy escape for either of them.
There’s a couple of cool twists at the end and plenty of action and adventure. The supporting characters of Jack, Maximo, and Bunty are fabulous supporting characters. There’s no explicit spice in this novel, but you almost feel as if there is, which sounds weird, but the writing is that powerful. It conveys sex and love without the explicit words.
It’s a long haul of a book, but sooooo worth it. My ONLY gripe, is that the word “nerd” is used by the characters. It just felt out of place, but I honestly don’t know any synonym for it that would have existed in 1930s Germany.
Cissie (Cecilia) is healing a broken heart as she travels with her mother in Berlin. The story gives me big time Cabaret vibes as the main characters party their way through Berlin with war basically knocking on the door. Harsh changes have already come to Germany but the scientists, Mila included, believe that science is more important than politics, despite the fact that Mila is part Jewish. Plus, it’s Berlin. A haven for artists, literature, theatre, music, and science.
There is subterfuge and hidden motivations from almost every character. Some of those motives are hidden by political ideologies and some are driven by the desire of Mila to succeed and Cissie to find her place in the world. Neither woman has healthy relationships with their parents and they depend extended family, as well as Mila’s colleagues at work. Despite being told over and over that they need to leave Berlin, they stay. Until they don’t. It is not an easy escape for either of them.
There’s a couple of cool twists at the end and plenty of action and adventure. The supporting characters of Jack, Maximo, and Bunty are fabulous supporting characters. There’s no explicit spice in this novel, but you almost feel as if there is, which sounds weird, but the writing is that powerful. It conveys sex and love without the explicit words.
It’s a long haul of a book, but sooooo worth it. My ONLY gripe, is that the word “nerd” is used by the characters. It just felt out of place, but I honestly don’t know any synonym for it that would have existed in 1930s Germany.
July 22, 2022
Top-notch!! I love it very much!
June 10, 2025
Incredible!
This has taken me sooo long to read because it kept leaving me breathless. Mila is devastatingly beautiful, absolutely brilliant, and one of the most intelligent characters I've ever read. I am utterly in love with her. This book is amazing, and the research that went into the story was awe-inspiring. My first book by this author, but I look forward to more!
This has taken me sooo long to read because it kept leaving me breathless. Mila is devastatingly beautiful, absolutely brilliant, and one of the most intelligent characters I've ever read. I am utterly in love with her. This book is amazing, and the research that went into the story was awe-inspiring. My first book by this author, but I look forward to more!
May 31, 2023
A British socialite Cissie meets a masc, lesbian player Mila who happens to be a genius. It’s also the start of the rise of the National Socialist ideology in Germany. With the rumblings of war on the horizon, Cissie has to get to Mila before the Nazis do.
Mila and Cissie’s story is different from other sapphic books because of the time and circumstances of their meeting. The author cleverly used pre-WW2 rise of the Nazis as one of the pillars to build the story. It was interesting to view the world at a time when rockets and bombs were just imagined weapons. It made me appreciate the intellectuals behind the science that discovered such literal groundbreaking technology.
Mila’s genius was thoroughly represented in the book. The author could have been spouting gibberish backwards and I was none the wiser because I almost failed chemistry, physics, calculus and all those brain cell killing subjects. My point is, Mila’s genius was communicated effectively and it felt very authentic especially to a mere mortal like me.
My anguish towards the story would be the length of the book. Game of thrones is 694 pages and it’s a high fantasy fiction. It would have been understandable for me to read 663 pages of action packed, nerdy science stuff with a smattering of lesbian love-lust in it. However, the main characters’ emotional turmoil took up 80% of the book and the real action started to happen around 85% in?? I respect the effort and research the author put in this book. The characters were very colourful and easy to love. The science was real and painful to read. In my own nothing opinion, I think the author could have dialled Mila’s mood swings down a bit and focused on the exciting bits of the story. That’s all.
Once in Berlin is a historical fiction with characters featured in the story that existed in real life. If 30’s glitzy high life, nerdy science talk is your kink, this book has all that and more.
Mila and Cissie’s story is different from other sapphic books because of the time and circumstances of their meeting. The author cleverly used pre-WW2 rise of the Nazis as one of the pillars to build the story. It was interesting to view the world at a time when rockets and bombs were just imagined weapons. It made me appreciate the intellectuals behind the science that discovered such literal groundbreaking technology.
Mila’s genius was thoroughly represented in the book. The author could have been spouting gibberish backwards and I was none the wiser because I almost failed chemistry, physics, calculus and all those brain cell killing subjects. My point is, Mila’s genius was communicated effectively and it felt very authentic especially to a mere mortal like me.
My anguish towards the story would be the length of the book. Game of thrones is 694 pages and it’s a high fantasy fiction. It would have been understandable for me to read 663 pages of action packed, nerdy science stuff with a smattering of lesbian love-lust in it. However, the main characters’ emotional turmoil took up 80% of the book and the real action started to happen around 85% in?? I respect the effort and research the author put in this book. The characters were very colourful and easy to love. The science was real and painful to read. In my own nothing opinion, I think the author could have dialled Mila’s mood swings down a bit and focused on the exciting bits of the story. That’s all.
Once in Berlin is a historical fiction with characters featured in the story that existed in real life. If 30’s glitzy high life, nerdy science talk is your kink, this book has all that and more.
March 25, 2022
My second STEM Sapphic romance this week, and I loved it!
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: meet-cute, butch character, newbie author, non-US/UK setting, unusual job; UNICORN: historical event, 400+ pages (possibly other categories)
The book was set in the late 1930s, in Berlin, Germany, when Hitler was starting to ramp up Nazi efforts. The characters included mathematicians, scientists, physicists, astrophysicists, and chemists that worked together on the space race, nuclear energy, and celestial bodies, while also participating in high society events. The novel was romantic and glamorous at an epic length, and STEM/STEAM nerds will be absolutely charmed.
Another "don't miss" novel by Jo Havens.
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: meet-cute, butch character, newbie author, non-US/UK setting, unusual job; UNICORN: historical event, 400+ pages (possibly other categories)
The book was set in the late 1930s, in Berlin, Germany, when Hitler was starting to ramp up Nazi efforts. The characters included mathematicians, scientists, physicists, astrophysicists, and chemists that worked together on the space race, nuclear energy, and celestial bodies, while also participating in high society events. The novel was romantic and glamorous at an epic length, and STEM/STEAM nerds will be absolutely charmed.
Another "don't miss" novel by Jo Havens.
March 22, 2022
Jo Havens is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Once in Berlin is her second book, and she tackles historical fiction with the same aplomb as her wildly addictive sci-fi debut, The Blood We Spill.
Complex characters and a compelling plot turn one of the most fraught times in history into a page-turning romantic thriller that is sexy, smart, and dripping with intrigue.
Pre-war Berlin unfolds in a lush cascade of jazz clubs and parties. High society wraps itself in decadence and denial, while the insidious evil of the Third Reich looms menacingly over all.
The two main characters—brilliant, disillusioned, rakish Mila Nessian, who lives and breathes mathematics; and broken-hearted, directionless, socialite Cissie Balfour, who is sent by MI6 to lure Mila to London and away from the Nazi rocket program—are brought to life in striking detail.
I applaud the research the author put into this novel. I’m no genius mathematician, but I believed I was reading about one. Havens creates characters you won’t soon forget, and Mila is no exception. Behind her ever-present smirk is a woman searching for a kindred spirit who will see through her cavalier façade and love her for herself. She finds this in Cissie, and soon, the two women are drawn to each other in ways neither expected. The cat and mouse spy game keeps the heat and the tension high, while the looming war adds urgency to their plight.
If you like clever women, spies and intrigue, passionate sapphic love, exquisite roadsters, myopic scientists, zeppelins, stargazing, and life or death races against time, Once in Berlin is the book for you.
Another outstanding novel from Jo Havens. I can’t wait to see where she goes next.
Complex characters and a compelling plot turn one of the most fraught times in history into a page-turning romantic thriller that is sexy, smart, and dripping with intrigue.
Pre-war Berlin unfolds in a lush cascade of jazz clubs and parties. High society wraps itself in decadence and denial, while the insidious evil of the Third Reich looms menacingly over all.
The two main characters—brilliant, disillusioned, rakish Mila Nessian, who lives and breathes mathematics; and broken-hearted, directionless, socialite Cissie Balfour, who is sent by MI6 to lure Mila to London and away from the Nazi rocket program—are brought to life in striking detail.
I applaud the research the author put into this novel. I’m no genius mathematician, but I believed I was reading about one. Havens creates characters you won’t soon forget, and Mila is no exception. Behind her ever-present smirk is a woman searching for a kindred spirit who will see through her cavalier façade and love her for herself. She finds this in Cissie, and soon, the two women are drawn to each other in ways neither expected. The cat and mouse spy game keeps the heat and the tension high, while the looming war adds urgency to their plight.
If you like clever women, spies and intrigue, passionate sapphic love, exquisite roadsters, myopic scientists, zeppelins, stargazing, and life or death races against time, Once in Berlin is the book for you.
Another outstanding novel from Jo Havens. I can’t wait to see where she goes next.
March 15, 2022
I was given an ARC by the author for this one. It's a carefully constructed historical romance which takes expert advantage of the setting to provide wonderful colour and suspense. I may mention some aspects of character and story that are slightly more spoilerous than the blurb, but not enough to take the wind out of the story's sails in my opinion.
The setting is definitely going to catch any prospective reader's attention first and foremost. Germany in the lead-up to the second War? It's a delicate era to be writing in but is well handled by focusing on characters whose lives are insulated by the possession of wealth and class. The sense of foreboding it gives you to have historical events dismissed with such perfectly human denial is great for the book, if not the readers heart. It's truly an important period of time for modern LGBT+ people to understand, and eerily familiar to current events. Purely fictional and fictional incarnations of people make up the cast of characters centred around academic powerhouse Mila Nessian.
Mila is the first of the two leads and starts the story absurdly rich, a genius academic across numerous fields of study, and with a rather disposable nature when it comes to romantic dalliance. Mila's story is one of personal growth and the healing that comes with queer actualisation and love. But the thread I found most myself most invested in was how Mila has carved herself out a found family and home in which she can thrive, but it is imperilled by being within Germany as the politics of the era take hold. It was very gripping for me and felt rather relevant to the current threats upon equality. Mila also must have necessitated a great deal of research to pull off and I respect the hell out of that!
A character like Mila can make for poor romantic pairing but her counterpart in Cecilia "Cissie" Balfour avoids that pitfall in my opinion. Cissie begins the book newly returned to European society after having lived in the antipodes for some years with family and a lost love. I liked how this built her up by giving her experiences far outside the norm in a world less connected than the present. The feelings that drove her across the world are what inspires Cissie to grow throughout the story and move on from a despondent starting point.
All these pieces in a long book made me very happy indeed. Havens uses the potential provided by the setting to make a great story that made for a great week of reading. Do yourself a favour if you like a longer read and pick this up.
The setting is definitely going to catch any prospective reader's attention first and foremost. Germany in the lead-up to the second War? It's a delicate era to be writing in but is well handled by focusing on characters whose lives are insulated by the possession of wealth and class. The sense of foreboding it gives you to have historical events dismissed with such perfectly human denial is great for the book, if not the readers heart. It's truly an important period of time for modern LGBT+ people to understand, and eerily familiar to current events. Purely fictional and fictional incarnations of people make up the cast of characters centred around academic powerhouse Mila Nessian.
Mila is the first of the two leads and starts the story absurdly rich, a genius academic across numerous fields of study, and with a rather disposable nature when it comes to romantic dalliance. Mila's story is one of personal growth and the healing that comes with queer actualisation and love. But the thread I found most myself most invested in was how Mila has carved herself out a found family and home in which she can thrive, but it is imperilled by being within Germany as the politics of the era take hold. It was very gripping for me and felt rather relevant to the current threats upon equality. Mila also must have necessitated a great deal of research to pull off and I respect the hell out of that!
A character like Mila can make for poor romantic pairing but her counterpart in Cecilia "Cissie" Balfour avoids that pitfall in my opinion. Cissie begins the book newly returned to European society after having lived in the antipodes for some years with family and a lost love. I liked how this built her up by giving her experiences far outside the norm in a world less connected than the present. The feelings that drove her across the world are what inspires Cissie to grow throughout the story and move on from a despondent starting point.
All these pieces in a long book made me very happy indeed. Havens uses the potential provided by the setting to make a great story that made for a great week of reading. Do yourself a favour if you like a longer read and pick this up.
March 22, 2023
Havens has the potential to be the next Jae, Justine Saracen or Lee Winter, but she really needs an editor. This novel is like 6h of raw Spielberg footage that someone forgot to cut into a movie. The genius is there, but the pacing is erratic.
What it's about - this book is set in Berlin in the run-up to the 2nd World War. Cecelia Balfour is a listless aristocrat who trails her airheaded mother on a trip around Europe. In Berlin, she runs into her cousin Simon, who tasks her with repatriating a mathematical genius of Jewish-British descent. Unfortunately, nothing and no-one are quite as they seem, and chaos ensues.
What I thought - the characters are all very well drawn and lovely. While there is an insta-attraction between the two leads, the romance never feels rushed. Both Mila and Cecelia have unresolved issues and while Mila's take centre stage, it never feels like Cecilia is second-fiddle. In fact, there is a particularly gorgeous scene towards the end of the novel that will really leave you admiring Cissie in her own right.
The setting - the setting was really well done. While I am no expert on the period, pre-war Berlin feels alive, cosmopolitan and human. I loved the polyglot of languages and personalities, as well as the varied responses that individual characters had to the regime and their assigned identities. It all felt messy, authentic and real.
The pacing - was uneven. Although the characters are living through a pivotal moment in history, they spend most of their time in blissful seclusion. The impending war is more like a bad smell, one that wafts through every now and then, only to be waved away. This creates a very peculiar atmosphere of found-family moments, parties and romance that almost seems to loop in on itself.. to the point of boredom... only for it to be interrupted with nail-biting action and laugh out loud humour. It is for these plodding moments, where we don't learn anything new, that I deduct a star. In all other respects this book was very nearly perfect.
What it's about - this book is set in Berlin in the run-up to the 2nd World War. Cecelia Balfour is a listless aristocrat who trails her airheaded mother on a trip around Europe. In Berlin, she runs into her cousin Simon, who tasks her with repatriating a mathematical genius of Jewish-British descent. Unfortunately, nothing and no-one are quite as they seem, and chaos ensues.
What I thought - the characters are all very well drawn and lovely. While there is an insta-attraction between the two leads, the romance never feels rushed. Both Mila and Cecelia have unresolved issues and while Mila's take centre stage, it never feels like Cecilia is second-fiddle. In fact, there is a particularly gorgeous scene towards the end of the novel that will really leave you admiring Cissie in her own right.
The setting - the setting was really well done. While I am no expert on the period, pre-war Berlin feels alive, cosmopolitan and human. I loved the polyglot of languages and personalities, as well as the varied responses that individual characters had to the regime and their assigned identities. It all felt messy, authentic and real.
The pacing - was uneven. Although the characters are living through a pivotal moment in history, they spend most of their time in blissful seclusion. The impending war is more like a bad smell, one that wafts through every now and then, only to be waved away. This creates a very peculiar atmosphere of found-family moments, parties and romance that almost seems to loop in on itself.. to the point of boredom... only for it to be interrupted with nail-biting action and laugh out loud humour. It is for these plodding moments, where we don't learn anything new, that I deduct a star. In all other respects this book was very nearly perfect.
March 21, 2022
Fascinating and emotional
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am still recovering from finishing this book in the early morning hours. It drug me up, down, and all around then picked me up, dusted me off, and tossed me back into the fray. I thought I had everyone and the story figured out, but then an exchange or a “hmm” from Mila would send me down a new path. I am still blown away by the ending, I never would’ve guessed.
This story centers around genius mathematician Mila who’s side projects would eventually become Hitler’s missiles and US nuclear bombs. She meets adventurous, but unfulfilled, Cissie who rarely questions and struggles to find her her own voice. They are quickly taken with each other, but it takes work for them to find common ground.
The chemistry and interaction between all the characters is believable and I’d like to be friends with most of them. I enjoyed the historical aspects without getting too much into the details of Hitler’s actions. There were a few parts that got a bit long or repetitive, like some of the scenes at parties or the Institute.
At first I was a bit intimidated by all the math and science talked about as I wasn’t sure if all those intricate details would be important. Not really, it’s more like world building in sci-fi or fantasy books. While they are important to the characters as we get to know them, their work, relationships, and use to the Nazis, but retaining all the details of the physics and chemistry is not imperative to the major or minor storylines. If Havens’ background isn’t in science I can’t imagine the amount of work this book took to be realistic.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am still recovering from finishing this book in the early morning hours. It drug me up, down, and all around then picked me up, dusted me off, and tossed me back into the fray. I thought I had everyone and the story figured out, but then an exchange or a “hmm” from Mila would send me down a new path. I am still blown away by the ending, I never would’ve guessed.
This story centers around genius mathematician Mila who’s side projects would eventually become Hitler’s missiles and US nuclear bombs. She meets adventurous, but unfulfilled, Cissie who rarely questions and struggles to find her her own voice. They are quickly taken with each other, but it takes work for them to find common ground.
The chemistry and interaction between all the characters is believable and I’d like to be friends with most of them. I enjoyed the historical aspects without getting too much into the details of Hitler’s actions. There were a few parts that got a bit long or repetitive, like some of the scenes at parties or the Institute.
At first I was a bit intimidated by all the math and science talked about as I wasn’t sure if all those intricate details would be important. Not really, it’s more like world building in sci-fi or fantasy books. While they are important to the characters as we get to know them, their work, relationships, and use to the Nazis, but retaining all the details of the physics and chemistry is not imperative to the major or minor storylines. If Havens’ background isn’t in science I can’t imagine the amount of work this book took to be realistic.
March 15, 2022
Get ready for another wild ride with Jo Havens. For this book, I received an ARC for an honest review. This is her second book, which is totally different from her first. It’s a historical fiction, (I don’t usually read them, but I do love this era-think “Cabaret”). It’s set in the era of prewar Berlin and it has everything you might want. Romance, adventure, intrigue, betrayal, great characterisations; with snippets of science, maths and history thrown into the mix. I was intrigued by these, as surprisingly, for me, they enhanced the story line and were integral to the plot. Well researched, the novel has fascinating descriptions of prewar Berlin. Best of all though, are the two main protagonists. For the 1930’s setting; we have Mila, who is a Marlene Dietrich type on steroids and Cissie, a Carol Lombard type who wins everyone’s heart. Both are strong, smart, females who shine on their own and together. They have you cheering for them all the way through. It’s a “keep turning the page” book, because you’ll definitely want to find out how it will end.
August 11, 2023
Well, this was an interesting book. It was fascinating the way the author wove historical figures into this fictional story. Although my brain froze a little at some of the technical stuff, the characters were what drove the story. Certainly not your usual romance but an unusual and compelling read. The ending was edge-of-seat movie material.
May 1, 2023
Absolutely amazing!! I don't usually write reviews, but this book took my breath away.
April 26, 2022
Does Jo Haven realize her own breathtaking skill as a storyteller? That's hard to say. I'd imagine she knows she's talented, but looking at the unpretentious way she weaves literary narrative into her sweet, genuine love story, I'd say her humility equals her talent.
And she is a *very* talented storyteller.
Jo's characters are truly alive, and her flavorful narrative brings to life the colors and smells of the 1930s in a way rarely found in the pages of a romance novel. She invites you to Berlin on the eve of the Second World War, where you will soak in the cheerful streets and fast nightlife amidst the growing menace of the Third Reich. Events of global importance, milestones of the coming apocalypse, are glimpsed numbly from inside the Nessian's champagne-soaked world of denial. You watch with growing tension, knowing full well what draws closer, as powerless to shake Mila and Jack awake as Cecelia is. Havens will take you to Paris, too, glittering and bright, and she paints a scene that feels obscene and wrong - the story's geniuses partying as the fires of global war are lit. She creates a paper-thin veneer of luxury, and you watch the vultures circling outside.
At its core, Berlin is a story of true love, through and through. It has everything I love - love at first sight, a hint of possessive ownership, the willingness to sacrifice everything for that person you love more than life itself. And found family, wrapped around your shoulders with a warm blanket.
And at the end of the day, it's a spy thriller, too - and it goes eyebrow-deep in scientific technicalities. Physics, astronomy, math that makes your head spin. Aviation, engineering, espionage - all researched with fathomless depth. When you add Jo's upmarket literary flair, delivered with effortlessness and modesty, you realize that you have been privileged enough to enjoy a truly exceptional book.
This is an historical romance, a spy thriller, a work of literary fiction thick enough to sink your teeth into and have a hard time pulling them back out.
Unparalleled detail. Skillful buildup of tension. A sweet, heartfelt romantic arc. Prose that's beautiful and singular and avoids self-adoration.
The literary world needs more authors like Jo Havens, and more work like Once in Berlin.
And she is a *very* talented storyteller.
Jo's characters are truly alive, and her flavorful narrative brings to life the colors and smells of the 1930s in a way rarely found in the pages of a romance novel. She invites you to Berlin on the eve of the Second World War, where you will soak in the cheerful streets and fast nightlife amidst the growing menace of the Third Reich. Events of global importance, milestones of the coming apocalypse, are glimpsed numbly from inside the Nessian's champagne-soaked world of denial. You watch with growing tension, knowing full well what draws closer, as powerless to shake Mila and Jack awake as Cecelia is. Havens will take you to Paris, too, glittering and bright, and she paints a scene that feels obscene and wrong - the story's geniuses partying as the fires of global war are lit. She creates a paper-thin veneer of luxury, and you watch the vultures circling outside.
At its core, Berlin is a story of true love, through and through. It has everything I love - love at first sight, a hint of possessive ownership, the willingness to sacrifice everything for that person you love more than life itself. And found family, wrapped around your shoulders with a warm blanket.
And at the end of the day, it's a spy thriller, too - and it goes eyebrow-deep in scientific technicalities. Physics, astronomy, math that makes your head spin. Aviation, engineering, espionage - all researched with fathomless depth. When you add Jo's upmarket literary flair, delivered with effortlessness and modesty, you realize that you have been privileged enough to enjoy a truly exceptional book.
This is an historical romance, a spy thriller, a work of literary fiction thick enough to sink your teeth into and have a hard time pulling them back out.
Unparalleled detail. Skillful buildup of tension. A sweet, heartfelt romantic arc. Prose that's beautiful and singular and avoids self-adoration.
The literary world needs more authors like Jo Havens, and more work like Once in Berlin.
July 11, 2022
Wow! I do not re-read many books (hardly EVER), not even 5-stars, but this one I will read again, without a doubt. This book had it all. History, intrigue, romance, suspense, heartache, sex, and sooo much more. Spent a ton of time on Google while reading this book and learned a ton (and loved every minute of it). Make sure to read the ‘Historical Notes’ at the end.
June 8, 2024
I am reading Jo Havens , Once in Berlin and it is fantastically awesome. No wonder it was the WINNER - Golden Crown Literary Society Awards 2022, Historical Fiction and WINNER - Lesfic Bard Awards 2022, Historical Fiction.
The writing draws one in to experience the build up to the war, with Mila and Cassie in a love bubble. Mila is The genius mathematician who is a walking computer. Details about Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy makes one think the author might be as well.
I am only 50% though the book and am totally loving it. wondering how I missed this book in 2022 ???
The writing draws one in to experience the build up to the war, with Mila and Cassie in a love bubble. Mila is The genius mathematician who is a walking computer. Details about Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy makes one think the author might be as well.
I am only 50% though the book and am totally loving it. wondering how I missed this book in 2022 ???
October 8, 2024
Solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love Jo havens writing style and she sure loves music. I have read two of her books and both books character love and play music I like the details about music she gave us in her writing.
I love Jo havens writing style and she sure loves music. I have read two of her books and both books character love and play music I like the details about music she gave us in her writing.
Read
May 15, 2022I'm refraining from giving this a star rating because I -sort of- DNF'd it. I read about the first third then skipped to the last 10%. I wanted to see how it turned out, but not enough that I wanted to go through it all. The obvious upcoming betrayal that could have been avoided with some honesty (to be fair, this is kinda on me since the blurb makes it pretty clear that's what kind of book this is). The biggest thing that bugged me is that Cissie reads like a parody of a YA character. She's so clumsy she breaks literally everything she touches for an excruciatingly long time (it's beyond cringey and should have been reduced by 90% at least) and her primary appealing character trait is that she's "not like other girls" because I guess she is interested in Mila's intelligence?
Mila though is a fascinating and rich character. And many of the background characters are great as well. The setting is interesting, especially in terms of scientists acting like the science is all that matters and who knows what it'll be used for. If Cissie's character was rewritten this would have been a very different and more interesting book.
Mila though is a fascinating and rich character. And many of the background characters are great as well. The setting is interesting, especially in terms of scientists acting like the science is all that matters and who knows what it'll be used for. If Cissie's character was rewritten this would have been a very different and more interesting book.
October 2, 2023
Angsty and Steamy Sapphic Historical Masterpiece
What a complex, compelling, and intoxicating story of two sapphic women, one a secretly-soft masc math genius forced to work for Nazis and the other a world-travelled photographer helping her cousin spy on the other for the British secret service, who fall in love in Berlin, Germany pre-WWII. I couldn’t put this one down to save my life, partially due to the growing tensions of war and what that would mean for all the characters, and partially because Mila’s entire character and undying love for Cissie just melted my heart and all the angst kept beating me while I was down. Havens is insanely good at creating tense and steamy chemistry between MCs in her stories and I would quite frankly read any romance from her at this point. What a treat of a novel that inspired me to research the IRL characters after finishing and eagerly await Havens’ next story.
What a complex, compelling, and intoxicating story of two sapphic women, one a secretly-soft masc math genius forced to work for Nazis and the other a world-travelled photographer helping her cousin spy on the other for the British secret service, who fall in love in Berlin, Germany pre-WWII. I couldn’t put this one down to save my life, partially due to the growing tensions of war and what that would mean for all the characters, and partially because Mila’s entire character and undying love for Cissie just melted my heart and all the angst kept beating me while I was down. Havens is insanely good at creating tense and steamy chemistry between MCs in her stories and I would quite frankly read any romance from her at this point. What a treat of a novel that inspired me to research the IRL characters after finishing and eagerly await Havens’ next story.
March 22, 2025
This book has not had enough hype!
Set in Berlin in 1938, it is pre World War II. It's a beautiful, sad, but brilliant story. Once I got about halfway through the book, I slowed down to savor it because I literally didn't want it to end. This is the first book I've read by this author, but I just downloaded her other 2 stories on KU.
Set in Berlin in 1938, it is pre World War II. It's a beautiful, sad, but brilliant story. Once I got about halfway through the book, I slowed down to savor it because I literally didn't want it to end. This is the first book I've read by this author, but I just downloaded her other 2 stories on KU.
September 25, 2023
the historian in me absolutely adored this book even though there are some slight historical inaccuracies
June 1, 2025
Lesbian Oppenheimer (I have never seen Oppenheimer)
July 3, 2023
Absolutely exceptional
I cannot begin to express how much I absolutely adored this book. I'm not normally a fan of historical romance books but this grabbed me completely and utterly.
Mila was just everything, from the swagger and the confidence to the vulnerable and yearning child within who wanted nothing more than to belong. I found myself riding the highs and lows with her, feeling for her completely. Cissie was wonderfully infuriating and clueless but ultimately in the end completely devoted.
I found myself going from laughing out loud to crying while reading this book. It was one of those books that you want to devour as quickly as possible but at the same time you know you are reading something so great it should be savoured. Jo's writing is poetic and stunning I became so lost in this book and this spectacular cast of characters. Their journey is chaotic and beautiful. This has firmly made its way into my all time favourite list. I cannot wait until Jo brings out more books
I cannot begin to express how much I absolutely adored this book. I'm not normally a fan of historical romance books but this grabbed me completely and utterly.
Mila was just everything, from the swagger and the confidence to the vulnerable and yearning child within who wanted nothing more than to belong. I found myself riding the highs and lows with her, feeling for her completely. Cissie was wonderfully infuriating and clueless but ultimately in the end completely devoted.
I found myself going from laughing out loud to crying while reading this book. It was one of those books that you want to devour as quickly as possible but at the same time you know you are reading something so great it should be savoured. Jo's writing is poetic and stunning I became so lost in this book and this spectacular cast of characters. Their journey is chaotic and beautiful. This has firmly made its way into my all time favourite list. I cannot wait until Jo brings out more books
June 26, 2022
When Cissie travels from England to Berlin with her mother in 1937, she is persuaded by her cousin, who works for British intelligence, to become romantically involved with the brilliant Mila, a physicist, and convince her to come to England and work for the British. For Cissie, who prefers women, it's an instant attraction to the masculine, wealthy, arrogant Mila. And while Cissie tries to help her cousin in his mission, the more she falls for Mila, the more misgivings she has about betraying her.
This is a long book (636 pages) and was highly engaging throughout most of it. The book is divided into three parts: the initial meeting and the progress toward a relationship; a summer of living together with Mila's gay brother and his lover; and the worsening situation for Mila (whose father is Jewish) after Kristallnacht.
Part 2 drags a bit until near its end, but parts 1 and 3 are really strong. The author admits that she's rearranged historical events a bit to fit the plot's timeline (e.g., Kristallnacht was in November and not in the summer), but unless you're a close study of the era, it doesn't detract a lot.
My biggest concern is the way in which I felt like the author almost equated the motives of the Nazis and the British, each wanting Mila's brilliant mind in their employ in what was described as exploitation. While I understand that there's an antiwar message that weapons of destruction are evil no matter who has them, I was still uncomfortable with this idea that it was preferable to hide behind neutrality instead of opposing the Nazi horror, especially for a Jewish woman.
I'm going with a 4.5 rounded up to a 5 given the amount of research and details included, not just about the era, but the ways in which the author was able to take us into Mila's beautiful mind.
This is a long book (636 pages) and was highly engaging throughout most of it. The book is divided into three parts: the initial meeting and the progress toward a relationship; a summer of living together with Mila's gay brother and his lover; and the worsening situation for Mila (whose father is Jewish) after Kristallnacht.
Part 2 drags a bit until near its end, but parts 1 and 3 are really strong. The author admits that she's rearranged historical events a bit to fit the plot's timeline (e.g., Kristallnacht was in November and not in the summer), but unless you're a close study of the era, it doesn't detract a lot.
My biggest concern is the way in which I felt like the author almost equated the motives of the Nazis and the British, each wanting Mila's brilliant mind in their employ in what was described as exploitation. While I understand that there's an antiwar message that weapons of destruction are evil no matter who has them, I was still uncomfortable with this idea that it was preferable to hide behind neutrality instead of opposing the Nazi horror, especially for a Jewish woman.
I'm going with a 4.5 rounded up to a 5 given the amount of research and details included, not just about the era, but the ways in which the author was able to take us into Mila's beautiful mind.
June 6, 2023
I wanted to love this book so badly. It has so many of my favorite things, sapphic romance, historical fiction, and WWII era espionage, but the pacing killed me. I wanted to give up so many times because the book is just so long and it takes forever to get to the action. The author sped up the historical timeline just to make the briefest mentions of Hitler’s actions in the lead up to WWII. Clearly historical liberties were taken in order to add suspense but all suspense is lost when you have 200 pages of nothing but romance in between each brief mention of historical events. It’s also very off putting that the main character constantly distances herself from “real Jews.” As a history teacher, I cannot suspend my belief enough to fully enjoy this story. Mila and Jack are gay, ethnically Jewish, and outspoken critics of the Nazi party. The fact that they seem to barely feel a sense of threat until about 400 pages into the book is unbelievable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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