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The Wife Who Risked Everything
Berlin, 1943: “Where’s your husband?” the SS man demanded.
“There’s no one home,” Margot said before they started tearing the place apart. “I’m alone here.” In his eyes was nothing but ice and death, and it occurred to Margot that only she stood between her husband and the soldier’s machine gun.
In Nazi Germany, Margot refuses to buckle under the weight of Hitler’s tyranny.
When she is fired from her job as a seamstress for being married to her Jewish husband, Jochen, she remains by his side. When her friends cross the street to avoid her, and her own mother rejects her, she stays loyal.
When the Gestapo break into their home and steal their belongings, she remains steadfast. When they are cast into the street, homeless, she doesn’t waver.
When warplanes descend, the air raid siren blaring, and Jews are not allowed in bomb shelters, she refuses to abandon him.
When there are whispers of innocent people being deported to camps, including Germans married to Jews, she still won’t give in.
And when the Nazis arrest Jochen, imprisoning him with countless others, Margot decides to go down fighting.
Armed solely with love, Margot risks her life to protest outside the Gestapo headquarters. Inspired by her courage, soon there are hundreds gathered, shouting, “Release our men! Release our men!”
Can Margot achieve the impossible and save her beloved husband? Or when she comes face to face with the deadly SS guards, will she simply sacrifice herself?
Based on a true story, this incredible page-turner shows that, in the face of evil, love is power, courage is infectious—and the voices of many will not be silenced. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz,The Alice Network and The Lilac Girls will be utterly gripped by this heartbreaking and inspirational tale.
“There’s no one home,” Margot said before they started tearing the place apart. “I’m alone here.” In his eyes was nothing but ice and death, and it occurred to Margot that only she stood between her husband and the soldier’s machine gun.
In Nazi Germany, Margot refuses to buckle under the weight of Hitler’s tyranny.
When she is fired from her job as a seamstress for being married to her Jewish husband, Jochen, she remains by his side. When her friends cross the street to avoid her, and her own mother rejects her, she stays loyal.
When the Gestapo break into their home and steal their belongings, she remains steadfast. When they are cast into the street, homeless, she doesn’t waver.
When warplanes descend, the air raid siren blaring, and Jews are not allowed in bomb shelters, she refuses to abandon him.
When there are whispers of innocent people being deported to camps, including Germans married to Jews, she still won’t give in.
And when the Nazis arrest Jochen, imprisoning him with countless others, Margot decides to go down fighting.
Armed solely with love, Margot risks her life to protest outside the Gestapo headquarters. Inspired by her courage, soon there are hundreds gathered, shouting, “Release our men! Release our men!”
Can Margot achieve the impossible and save her beloved husband? Or when she comes face to face with the deadly SS guards, will she simply sacrifice herself?
Based on a true story, this incredible page-turner shows that, in the face of evil, love is power, courage is infectious—and the voices of many will not be silenced. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz,The Alice Network and The Lilac Girls will be utterly gripped by this heartbreaking and inspirational tale.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2022
2109 people are currently reading
1409 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Midwood
44 books1,192 followersEllie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author, whose works have been translated into 20 languages. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, "The Girl from Berlin." Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents.
In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her husband and their three dogs.
In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her husband and their three dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
August 13, 2022
Margot was a German woman, her husband Jochen a Jew. As the months moved forward and things worsened for the Jewish population in Berlin, Margot vowed she wouldn't let anything separate them. She would stay by his side no matter what. As they were evicted from first one apartment, then another until they lived in little more than a hovel, Jochen managed to procure a pup for Margot, which they named Goose. Devoted and loyal, Goose even came to realise he shouldn't make a sound.
Eventually Jochen was arrested by the SS, along with countless others. When Margot found out where he was, she joined other women, as well as some men, outside where they were detained, and voiced their objections. They continued, calling out, yelling, refusing to leave their posts for days on end. When they worked in shifts so women could get some sleep, the protest continued. Would their cries of "Release our men. Release our men" be heard? Or would they shoot the woman, even though they were German?
I think I've heard everything despicable the Nazis did during the war, until I read another book and learn more of their atrocities. The Wife Who Risked Everything by Ellie Midwood is based on the true story of courage and the power of love, and those women and men's determination to stop the Nazis from taking their loved ones. A brilliant read, heartbreaking but heartwarming, Margot and Jochen were inspirational - the people surrounding them no less so. I loved Anastasia's character - she was a power house! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Eventually Jochen was arrested by the SS, along with countless others. When Margot found out where he was, she joined other women, as well as some men, outside where they were detained, and voiced their objections. They continued, calling out, yelling, refusing to leave their posts for days on end. When they worked in shifts so women could get some sleep, the protest continued. Would their cries of "Release our men. Release our men" be heard? Or would they shoot the woman, even though they were German?
I think I've heard everything despicable the Nazis did during the war, until I read another book and learn more of their atrocities. The Wife Who Risked Everything by Ellie Midwood is based on the true story of courage and the power of love, and those women and men's determination to stop the Nazis from taking their loved ones. A brilliant read, heartbreaking but heartwarming, Margot and Jochen were inspirational - the people surrounding them no less so. I loved Anastasia's character - she was a power house! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2022
Have you ever gone into a clothing store and tried on an outfit that you’d absolutely never consider wearing just to see how it feels to dress like that or be seen wearing it?
Author Ellie Midwood takes us by the hand into 1935 Berlin and figuratively hands us the outfit to try on so that we know how it feels to be an Aryan married to a Jew after the Nuremberg laws had been passed.
Midwood continually takes the responsibility to train us seriously and from the first page of her books, she shows us how her wartime Berlin world works differently from the one we live in today. Her longstanding commitment to showing us the everydayness of real historical life is inspiring.
You’ll read about Hans-Joachim and Margot Rosenberg, a couple very much in love, who’ve had to give up an aspiring acting and modelling career as well as a competitive swimming dream and a set decorating career because Joachim “had the misfortune to be a Jew in a country infested with Brownshirts.” What amazed me was the pressure that was placed on Margot to divorce her Jewish husband so that she could continue with a life unimpeded by stigma. Her love was truly put to the test! Midwood captures the very essence of the emotional range experienced when ordinary, innocent people are forced into a horrifying environment such as Nazi Germany.
Every time I read an Ellie Midwood novel, I’m reminded of Ernest Hemingway’s thoughts on characterization: “When writing a novel, a writer should create living people; people, not characters.” Midwood’s characters are crafted as living people. I loved seeing Margot explore the different shades of gray in her character as she was forced to conform to the inhumanity enveloping her. With each rung of the ladder that she had to descend, her determination to not let ‘them’ bring her down increased. Her father’s half-Russian, half-German mistress, Anastasia Kasdorf, was a light in the darkness for Margot. Instead of crafting a mistress as evil, Midwood has given her an extra helping of humanity. I loved her insight when she voiced that “people who carry light inside them are incapable of hatred. People who carry darkness hope to spill it on everyone else just so they’ll suffer the same way they suffer.”
In highlighting the only successful protest in Nazi Germany, Midwood shows us the hypocrisy of Nazi leadership and the bravery of the ordinary German citizens who fiercely protected their persecuted spouses. You can’t miss this poignant and captivating story - put it on the top of your reading list now! Understanding and empathy are developed when we have a chance to walk in another’s shoes. Midwood offers us that growth experience and it would behoove us to take advantage of it.
I was gifted this advance copy by Ellie Midwood, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Author Ellie Midwood takes us by the hand into 1935 Berlin and figuratively hands us the outfit to try on so that we know how it feels to be an Aryan married to a Jew after the Nuremberg laws had been passed.
Midwood continually takes the responsibility to train us seriously and from the first page of her books, she shows us how her wartime Berlin world works differently from the one we live in today. Her longstanding commitment to showing us the everydayness of real historical life is inspiring.
You’ll read about Hans-Joachim and Margot Rosenberg, a couple very much in love, who’ve had to give up an aspiring acting and modelling career as well as a competitive swimming dream and a set decorating career because Joachim “had the misfortune to be a Jew in a country infested with Brownshirts.” What amazed me was the pressure that was placed on Margot to divorce her Jewish husband so that she could continue with a life unimpeded by stigma. Her love was truly put to the test! Midwood captures the very essence of the emotional range experienced when ordinary, innocent people are forced into a horrifying environment such as Nazi Germany.
Every time I read an Ellie Midwood novel, I’m reminded of Ernest Hemingway’s thoughts on characterization: “When writing a novel, a writer should create living people; people, not characters.” Midwood’s characters are crafted as living people. I loved seeing Margot explore the different shades of gray in her character as she was forced to conform to the inhumanity enveloping her. With each rung of the ladder that she had to descend, her determination to not let ‘them’ bring her down increased. Her father’s half-Russian, half-German mistress, Anastasia Kasdorf, was a light in the darkness for Margot. Instead of crafting a mistress as evil, Midwood has given her an extra helping of humanity. I loved her insight when she voiced that “people who carry light inside them are incapable of hatred. People who carry darkness hope to spill it on everyone else just so they’ll suffer the same way they suffer.”
In highlighting the only successful protest in Nazi Germany, Midwood shows us the hypocrisy of Nazi leadership and the bravery of the ordinary German citizens who fiercely protected their persecuted spouses. You can’t miss this poignant and captivating story - put it on the top of your reading list now! Understanding and empathy are developed when we have a chance to walk in another’s shoes. Midwood offers us that growth experience and it would behoove us to take advantage of it.
I was gifted this advance copy by Ellie Midwood, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 7, 2022
SUPERB PLOT BUILDING AND A PHENOMENAL FEMALE LEAD
Ellie Midwood is quickly becoming one of my favourite WWII authors. I love how she chooses slightly unconventional stories, often from a German point of view. I don't see many other WII authors do the same thing. And she does it absolutely perfectly!
👍 What I Liked 👍
German: I really like getting into the heads and the minds of the German people during WWII. What moved them to accept the things happening around them during Hitler's reign? Margot and Jochen were a particularly interesting couple to follow, as she was German and he was a German Jew. It was really interesting following their mentality and their decisions as Germany rapidly changed around them.
Margot: Margot really appealed to me. She had a quiet, consistent strength. She wasn't flashy or very outspoken. But she was loyal and steadfast. Her affection and love for her husband shone through on every page and it warmed my heart immensely. Her strength and her fight against the regime wasn't violent or even very outspoken. But it was there in her perseverance.
Plot: The plot buildup was masterful. I loved how Midwood introduced nugget after nugget of strife, prejudice and hardship. As a reader I kept thinking "It can't get any worse, now they have to leave." But the plot kept building up and up until the perfect crescendo at the end.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Ellie Midwood is quickly becoming one of my favourite WWII authors. I love how she chooses slightly unconventional stories, often from a German point of view. I don't see many other WII authors do the same thing. And she does it absolutely perfectly!
👍 What I Liked 👍
German: I really like getting into the heads and the minds of the German people during WWII. What moved them to accept the things happening around them during Hitler's reign? Margot and Jochen were a particularly interesting couple to follow, as she was German and he was a German Jew. It was really interesting following their mentality and their decisions as Germany rapidly changed around them.
Margot: Margot really appealed to me. She had a quiet, consistent strength. She wasn't flashy or very outspoken. But she was loyal and steadfast. Her affection and love for her husband shone through on every page and it warmed my heart immensely. Her strength and her fight against the regime wasn't violent or even very outspoken. But it was there in her perseverance.
Plot: The plot buildup was masterful. I loved how Midwood introduced nugget after nugget of strife, prejudice and hardship. As a reader I kept thinking "It can't get any worse, now they have to leave." But the plot kept building up and up until the perfect crescendo at the end.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Follow me for more book loving content!
Blog ✨ Facebook ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter
Blog Post: 10 Criminally Underrated YA Books with an LGBTQ Twist
August 25, 2022
Ellie Midwood is a very popular author amongst fans of historical fiction fans, and this is my first by her but I can see why she is so well loved.
Whilst her writing is predominantly set in Nazi Germany, from what I have seen, she always seems to find a story that takes her readers through every emotion you can think of. Horror, love, heartbreak, resilience and a powerful story to portray them.
The start of the story felt somewhat tame to me, but I was soon swept along with the story and characters.
Midwood is a wonderful writer, with an excellent balance of characters and plot, so she is able to appeal to fans of both types.
I would recommend historical fiction fans read Ellie Midwood's books as I have no doubt she will become a new auto-buy author for them.
Whilst her writing is predominantly set in Nazi Germany, from what I have seen, she always seems to find a story that takes her readers through every emotion you can think of. Horror, love, heartbreak, resilience and a powerful story to portray them.
The start of the story felt somewhat tame to me, but I was soon swept along with the story and characters.
Midwood is a wonderful writer, with an excellent balance of characters and plot, so she is able to appeal to fans of both types.
I would recommend historical fiction fans read Ellie Midwood's books as I have no doubt she will become a new auto-buy author for them.
February 19, 2023
German Arian Margot is married to German Jewish Jochen. Hitler comes to power and begins his hate campaign restricting Jews from jobs, schools, etc. etc. and makes it illegal for a German to marry a Jew.
Margot will not abandon her husband even as her mother, her sister and brother in law embrace Hitler and the Nazis.
It’s a story of commitment and love and gives new meaning to ‘until death do us part’ because Margot is risking her life just to stay married to her husband. Margot does whatever necessary to protect her Jewish husband while she deals with the hateful treatment towards herself because she is an Arian married to a Jew.
The most interesting part of this book is the women’s protest outside Gestapo headquarters in Berlin (1943) where their husbands were being held. Lasting several days the protest grew with sympathetic citizens joining in. The only such protest as far as I’m aware and it appears to have been successful as the men were eventually released.
As much as I have read about this period in history this is the first I’ve heard of this event.
Margot will not abandon her husband even as her mother, her sister and brother in law embrace Hitler and the Nazis.
It’s a story of commitment and love and gives new meaning to ‘until death do us part’ because Margot is risking her life just to stay married to her husband. Margot does whatever necessary to protect her Jewish husband while she deals with the hateful treatment towards herself because she is an Arian married to a Jew.
The most interesting part of this book is the women’s protest outside Gestapo headquarters in Berlin (1943) where their husbands were being held. Lasting several days the protest grew with sympathetic citizens joining in. The only such protest as far as I’m aware and it appears to have been successful as the men were eventually released.
As much as I have read about this period in history this is the first I’ve heard of this event.
September 11, 2022
Never Ending Love
A Love Story to Remember. Margot and Jochen were madly in love with each other and determined to stay together no matter what happened. Margot's husband Jochen is Jewish and her mother does not approve and when the Nazi's come into power in Berlin her mother tries to get her to leave her husband but she refuses to do so. The only person sympathetic to her was her Father and his Russian girlfriend Anastasia.
Margot was a film star until the Nuremberg laws were passed by the Nazi's then because she was married to a Jewish man she was replaced by another star and she was given the job of seamstress. The only friend she had left at the studio was Lisa a Slavic immigrant. Lida too had troubles as she was admired and courted by a man she loathed Minister Goebbels.
When the Nazi's broke into Margot and Jochen's apartment and stole their furniture and they were forced to leave it was Anastasia who gave them a place to stay until they found another apartment. Then Margot lost her job because of new Nazi rules and shortly after Jochen's American employer left the country and he had no job.
It got worse and worse with all the new rules and regulations. Then Jewish and partially Jewish families could no longer have pets and Anastasia took in the Jewish pets, dogs and the cat.
Then Jochen and others were gathered up and taken by the police. Margot didn't know how but she had to get him released before he was sent to the concentration camp in the cattle cars.
Don't miss this thrilling story and the conclusion. Will Margot get Jochen released, will both of them be sent east, or will they all be shot? What happens next? You will definitely want to read this book.
Thanks to Ellie Midwood for writing another great WWII story, to Bookouture for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me to read and review.
A Love Story to Remember. Margot and Jochen were madly in love with each other and determined to stay together no matter what happened. Margot's husband Jochen is Jewish and her mother does not approve and when the Nazi's come into power in Berlin her mother tries to get her to leave her husband but she refuses to do so. The only person sympathetic to her was her Father and his Russian girlfriend Anastasia.
Margot was a film star until the Nuremberg laws were passed by the Nazi's then because she was married to a Jewish man she was replaced by another star and she was given the job of seamstress. The only friend she had left at the studio was Lisa a Slavic immigrant. Lida too had troubles as she was admired and courted by a man she loathed Minister Goebbels.
When the Nazi's broke into Margot and Jochen's apartment and stole their furniture and they were forced to leave it was Anastasia who gave them a place to stay until they found another apartment. Then Margot lost her job because of new Nazi rules and shortly after Jochen's American employer left the country and he had no job.
It got worse and worse with all the new rules and regulations. Then Jewish and partially Jewish families could no longer have pets and Anastasia took in the Jewish pets, dogs and the cat.
Then Jochen and others were gathered up and taken by the police. Margot didn't know how but she had to get him released before he was sent to the concentration camp in the cattle cars.
Don't miss this thrilling story and the conclusion. Will Margot get Jochen released, will both of them be sent east, or will they all be shot? What happens next? You will definitely want to read this book.
Thanks to Ellie Midwood for writing another great WWII story, to Bookouture for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me to read and review.
August 1, 2022
The Wife Who Risked Everything is a very fitting title for this cleverly crafted and gripping novel. I work night shifts and finished my shift at 3 in the morning and began this novel as I got into bed to settle in. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter.” And before I knew it, it was 6 a.m. and I was still awake! I had to force myself to go to sleep and as soon as I woke up, I finished the book within a few hours. It is certainly one of those books that you will find very hard to put down.
Readers will fall in love with the main character, Margot, I most certainly did! Margot is an empowering female character. She is a woman’s woman through and through. She is brave, she is smart, she is witty, she is a lover, she is a fighter, and above all she is a protector. She is an “Aryan” woman married to a Jewish man, Jochen, and she will move mountains for him. No one or no thing will come in between Margot and Jochen.
Throughout the story, Ellie Midwood tells the story of the cruel laws that are inflicted upon the couple in Nazi Germany and how they, together, overcome every attempt to be broken. Throughout the story you see Margot defend her husband and risk her life to ensure his safety.
Ellie does an outstanding job at drawing the reader in by being so detailed and descriptive for every character, every scenario, and every situation. I could very easily visualize every character and the locations because Ellie goes into great detail to bring each character and point alive. Bonus points for creating the character of Anastasia, I loved her wittiness, boldness and her powerhouse personality.
You will feel every heartache, feel every high and low. As your progress further in this book, you will find yourself pausing to reflect on the situations that arise and the characters reactions to them. You will wonder what would you do if you were in Margot’s shoes? How would you overcome the trials and tribulations she has? That is why this book is one of Ellie’s best books, in my opinion, and I have read every book she has published. When a book can make you reflect, think and engage your mind and imagination so vividly and captivate your soul into the wee hours of the night; all the while leaving an everlasting imprint on your soul, THAT is a best seller. If I could give this more than 5 stars I most certainly would.
This is a must read!
Merged review:
The Wife Who Risked Everything is a very fitting title for this cleverly crafted and gripping novel. I work night shifts and finished my shift at 3 in the morning and began this novel as I got into bed to settle in. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter.” And before I knew it, it was 6 a.m. and I was still awake! I had to force myself to go to sleep and as soon as I woke up, I finished the book within a few hours. It is certainly one of those books that you will find very hard to put down.
Readers will fall in love with the main character, Margot, I most certainly did! Margot is an empowering female character. She is a woman’s woman through and through. She is brave, she is smart, she is witty, she is a lover, she is a fighter, and above all she is a protector. She is an “Aryan” woman married to a Jewish man, Jochen, and she will move mountains for him. No one or no thing will come in between Margot and Jochen.
Throughout the story, Ellie Midwood tells the story of the cruel laws that are inflicted upon the couple in Nazi Germany and how they, together, overcome every attempt to be broken. Throughout the story you see Margot defend her husband and risk her life to ensure his safety.
Ellie does an outstanding job at drawing the reader in by being so detailed and descriptive for every character, every scenario, and every situation. I could very easily visualize every character and the locations because Ellie goes into great detail to bring each character and point alive. Bonus points for creating the character of Anastasia, I loved her wittiness, boldness and her powerhouse personality.
You will feel every heartache, feel every high and low. As your progress further in this book, you will find yourself pausing to reflect on the situations that arise and the characters reactions to them. You will wonder what would you do if you were in Margot’s shoes? How would you overcome the trials and tribulations she has? That is why this book is one of Ellie’s best books, in my opinion, and I have read every book she has published. When a book can make you reflect, think and engage your mind and imagination so vividly and captivate your soul into the wee hours of the night; all the while leaving an everlasting imprint on your soul, THAT is a best seller. If I could give this more than 5 stars I most certainly would.
This is a must read!
Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for the ARC copy.
Readers will fall in love with the main character, Margot, I most certainly did! Margot is an empowering female character. She is a woman’s woman through and through. She is brave, she is smart, she is witty, she is a lover, she is a fighter, and above all she is a protector. She is an “Aryan” woman married to a Jewish man, Jochen, and she will move mountains for him. No one or no thing will come in between Margot and Jochen.
Throughout the story, Ellie Midwood tells the story of the cruel laws that are inflicted upon the couple in Nazi Germany and how they, together, overcome every attempt to be broken. Throughout the story you see Margot defend her husband and risk her life to ensure his safety.
Ellie does an outstanding job at drawing the reader in by being so detailed and descriptive for every character, every scenario, and every situation. I could very easily visualize every character and the locations because Ellie goes into great detail to bring each character and point alive. Bonus points for creating the character of Anastasia, I loved her wittiness, boldness and her powerhouse personality.
You will feel every heartache, feel every high and low. As your progress further in this book, you will find yourself pausing to reflect on the situations that arise and the characters reactions to them. You will wonder what would you do if you were in Margot’s shoes? How would you overcome the trials and tribulations she has? That is why this book is one of Ellie’s best books, in my opinion, and I have read every book she has published. When a book can make you reflect, think and engage your mind and imagination so vividly and captivate your soul into the wee hours of the night; all the while leaving an everlasting imprint on your soul, THAT is a best seller. If I could give this more than 5 stars I most certainly would.
This is a must read!
Merged review:
The Wife Who Risked Everything is a very fitting title for this cleverly crafted and gripping novel. I work night shifts and finished my shift at 3 in the morning and began this novel as I got into bed to settle in. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter.” And before I knew it, it was 6 a.m. and I was still awake! I had to force myself to go to sleep and as soon as I woke up, I finished the book within a few hours. It is certainly one of those books that you will find very hard to put down.
Readers will fall in love with the main character, Margot, I most certainly did! Margot is an empowering female character. She is a woman’s woman through and through. She is brave, she is smart, she is witty, she is a lover, she is a fighter, and above all she is a protector. She is an “Aryan” woman married to a Jewish man, Jochen, and she will move mountains for him. No one or no thing will come in between Margot and Jochen.
Throughout the story, Ellie Midwood tells the story of the cruel laws that are inflicted upon the couple in Nazi Germany and how they, together, overcome every attempt to be broken. Throughout the story you see Margot defend her husband and risk her life to ensure his safety.
Ellie does an outstanding job at drawing the reader in by being so detailed and descriptive for every character, every scenario, and every situation. I could very easily visualize every character and the locations because Ellie goes into great detail to bring each character and point alive. Bonus points for creating the character of Anastasia, I loved her wittiness, boldness and her powerhouse personality.
You will feel every heartache, feel every high and low. As your progress further in this book, you will find yourself pausing to reflect on the situations that arise and the characters reactions to them. You will wonder what would you do if you were in Margot’s shoes? How would you overcome the trials and tribulations she has? That is why this book is one of Ellie’s best books, in my opinion, and I have read every book she has published. When a book can make you reflect, think and engage your mind and imagination so vividly and captivate your soul into the wee hours of the night; all the while leaving an everlasting imprint on your soul, THAT is a best seller. If I could give this more than 5 stars I most certainly would.
This is a must read!
Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for the ARC copy.
July 26, 2022
Ellie Midwood has become one of my favorite historical fiction writers as her books are all based on during Nazi Germany, Holocaust and WWII based on true stories. The Wife Who Risked Everything is one such book based on a true story.
Margot Rosenberg and Hans Joachim are very much in love and they ended up getting married. But it's 1933 and the year when Hitler and Nazis came to power. And her husband is Jewish. Then comes the heartbreaking story of a woman's courage and love for her husband, how she would risk everything in her life, including her job as a seamstress to save the man she loves from the Nazis.
Ellie's books are always well researched and her books always takes us to the period before everything went chaos--that is before the start of WWII. Her story soon develops into a plot where gradually the lives of the people including Jewish people changes slowly when living under the Nazi rule in Germany. She did a good job of turning the true story into something beautiful that will captivate the readers and make the readers feel like they are part of the story. Reading this story also tells us how women back in that day were determined and brave and courageous enough to save their loved ones from being taken away by the Nazis and Margot was one such courageous and brave woman that women can look up to. The Gestapo invasion of houses, the brutal treatment of Jews were all too realistic and too heartbreaking to read. Also I like reading about how Margot and her husband sneaked into the Olympics posing as Aryan couple!
Overall, if you like a heartbreaking and emotional historical fiction novel with a happy ending then this book is one for you and if you like reading about courageous and brave women like Margot like the likes of The Lilac Girls, then this book is one for you--worth five stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
Margot Rosenberg and Hans Joachim are very much in love and they ended up getting married. But it's 1933 and the year when Hitler and Nazis came to power. And her husband is Jewish. Then comes the heartbreaking story of a woman's courage and love for her husband, how she would risk everything in her life, including her job as a seamstress to save the man she loves from the Nazis.
Ellie's books are always well researched and her books always takes us to the period before everything went chaos--that is before the start of WWII. Her story soon develops into a plot where gradually the lives of the people including Jewish people changes slowly when living under the Nazi rule in Germany. She did a good job of turning the true story into something beautiful that will captivate the readers and make the readers feel like they are part of the story. Reading this story also tells us how women back in that day were determined and brave and courageous enough to save their loved ones from being taken away by the Nazis and Margot was one such courageous and brave woman that women can look up to. The Gestapo invasion of houses, the brutal treatment of Jews were all too realistic and too heartbreaking to read. Also I like reading about how Margot and her husband sneaked into the Olympics posing as Aryan couple!
Overall, if you like a heartbreaking and emotional historical fiction novel with a happy ending then this book is one for you and if you like reading about courageous and brave women like Margot like the likes of The Lilac Girls, then this book is one for you--worth five stars!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
August 25, 2022
The Wife Who Risked Everything is another powerful and well written story by Ellie Midwood. It shows how in the face of evil - love is power, courage is infectious and the voices of many will not be silenced. These words sum up our main character Margot perfectly. Throughout this book she is a warrior and a strong courageous woman whose love for her husband knows no limits and she will do everything in her power to keep him safe. It was brilliant to see such a forceful and impressive female character who in the face of unthinkable cruelty and horrors remained steadfast and obstinate in her viewpoint and never once deviated from it. Based on a true story we follow Margot and her husband Jochen as they do their best to navigate their way through the war years in Berlin.
Jochen and Margot have been married for ten years and have a very strong and loving relationship. But all that is called into question when Hitler comes to power and with Jochen being Jewish his very existence is threatened on a daily basis. But Margot is steadfast in her love for him and she will do anything to prevent him being taken away. As more and more laws against Jews are introduced Jochen’s world shrinks and he loses his job as a set designer. It is Margot who must provide for them and stand against those in authority. There is a defiant streak in Margot and I loved this about her. She refused to bow down to pressure and abandon Jochen which would have meant her own life was safe and secure. She had been destined to be a star in the German film industry but with her marriage to Jochen now illegal she is reduced to being a seamstress. She suffers daily humiliations as does Jochen but she takes them on the chin and strives to make their world better in any small way she can. But knowing Jochen could have been taken from her at any point and with the sheer hatred, discrimination and persecution against the Jews only highly ramped up the more the war progresses she remains loyal and courageous in every thought and word and deed.
There is tension, unease and suspension with every turn of the page. You never know what fate has in store next for the couple and your heart is in your mouth that the worst will happen. Ellie Midwood skilfully builds up the overall picture of what the Jewish population of Berlin were enduring at the time but at the same time she showed how Margot’s family had the means to exist fairly well off during such troubling times. Her parents exist in a tricky situation in the fact they remain married but her father lives with his mistress, a Russian refugee with royal connections named Anastasia who at first I thought would bring nothing to the story. But in fact she goes on to play a very vital role. As their world shrinks around them Margot and Jochen cling to the love they have for each other and their strong bond is evident through all of Margot’s actions. It was unique to see the roles reversed and the woman defending the man and taking over his role in terms of being the provider for the house. It really was a case of stand by your man but it at all times felt genuine and real and never forced or contrived.
The book begins in 1935 and takes us all the way up to 1943. Seeing as it started several years before the actual outbreak of war the reader could see how life was once normal for the German population but through the rise to power of one madman that life for the Jewish population was forever altered. Jochen’s freedom was taken from him and all that he valued in the world apart from Margot of course was against the law. As their living situation changes and he is sent to work hard labour things get very tough for the pair but Margot was always on high alert, checking on him that he was making it through each day and could return safely to her. She was outspoken and refused to be helpless and she threaded a very thin line when it came to being out in the public. I feared that she would take one misstep and al her efforts would have been in vain.
The Wife Who Risked Everything is a quick read but it does convey its message very well. I felt the first half after the initial introduction of the characters and establishing their backgrounds and the situation in Germany things calmed down a bit and it was a bit slow just going through the years and the various laws that were introduced. Yes, we were shown how this impacted Jochen and Margot but I needed a little bit more to happen despite the tension that I did feel throughout. I wondered where was the book actually going and it’s when we reach the last quarter and a significant event occurs which was based on a true incident that the I thought the book got back on track again and Margot as a character showed her true worth and remarkable resilience and bravery. The Wife Who Risked Everything is a very good read and it makes a change to read a story that wasn’t set in a concentration camp as a light was shone on a new aspect of the war which I hadn’t heard about.
Jochen and Margot have been married for ten years and have a very strong and loving relationship. But all that is called into question when Hitler comes to power and with Jochen being Jewish his very existence is threatened on a daily basis. But Margot is steadfast in her love for him and she will do anything to prevent him being taken away. As more and more laws against Jews are introduced Jochen’s world shrinks and he loses his job as a set designer. It is Margot who must provide for them and stand against those in authority. There is a defiant streak in Margot and I loved this about her. She refused to bow down to pressure and abandon Jochen which would have meant her own life was safe and secure. She had been destined to be a star in the German film industry but with her marriage to Jochen now illegal she is reduced to being a seamstress. She suffers daily humiliations as does Jochen but she takes them on the chin and strives to make their world better in any small way she can. But knowing Jochen could have been taken from her at any point and with the sheer hatred, discrimination and persecution against the Jews only highly ramped up the more the war progresses she remains loyal and courageous in every thought and word and deed.
There is tension, unease and suspension with every turn of the page. You never know what fate has in store next for the couple and your heart is in your mouth that the worst will happen. Ellie Midwood skilfully builds up the overall picture of what the Jewish population of Berlin were enduring at the time but at the same time she showed how Margot’s family had the means to exist fairly well off during such troubling times. Her parents exist in a tricky situation in the fact they remain married but her father lives with his mistress, a Russian refugee with royal connections named Anastasia who at first I thought would bring nothing to the story. But in fact she goes on to play a very vital role. As their world shrinks around them Margot and Jochen cling to the love they have for each other and their strong bond is evident through all of Margot’s actions. It was unique to see the roles reversed and the woman defending the man and taking over his role in terms of being the provider for the house. It really was a case of stand by your man but it at all times felt genuine and real and never forced or contrived.
The book begins in 1935 and takes us all the way up to 1943. Seeing as it started several years before the actual outbreak of war the reader could see how life was once normal for the German population but through the rise to power of one madman that life for the Jewish population was forever altered. Jochen’s freedom was taken from him and all that he valued in the world apart from Margot of course was against the law. As their living situation changes and he is sent to work hard labour things get very tough for the pair but Margot was always on high alert, checking on him that he was making it through each day and could return safely to her. She was outspoken and refused to be helpless and she threaded a very thin line when it came to being out in the public. I feared that she would take one misstep and al her efforts would have been in vain.
The Wife Who Risked Everything is a quick read but it does convey its message very well. I felt the first half after the initial introduction of the characters and establishing their backgrounds and the situation in Germany things calmed down a bit and it was a bit slow just going through the years and the various laws that were introduced. Yes, we were shown how this impacted Jochen and Margot but I needed a little bit more to happen despite the tension that I did feel throughout. I wondered where was the book actually going and it’s when we reach the last quarter and a significant event occurs which was based on a true incident that the I thought the book got back on track again and Margot as a character showed her true worth and remarkable resilience and bravery. The Wife Who Risked Everything is a very good read and it makes a change to read a story that wasn’t set in a concentration camp as a light was shone on a new aspect of the war which I hadn’t heard about.
August 25, 2022
Berlin, 1943: The war rages on throughout Europe. Margot is a German seamstress and her husband Jochen is a Jewish artist. They are completely in love and all they have is each other. They were evicted from their home many times but they vowed to never leave each other. Soon Jochen is arrested by the SS along with so many others. Once Margot discovers where Jochen is being held, she joins forces with other women in the same situation, protesting outside the prison camp demanding the release of the men. The protests continued all day and all night for what seemed like eternity. The guards were becoming frustrated with the crowd, but the protesters are determined and are not going to give up. When Margo risks her life to now protest outside of the Gestapo Headquarters everything changes for her. But her love for her husband outweighs the risk of losing her own life.
Oh my goodness I almost don’t know where to begin explaining how phenomenal this story was. This utterly gripping historical fiction is heartbreaking and completely impossible to put down. I was totally captivated from the very first page to the last. This book hits all the feels and I was so emotional, tearing up and brokenhearted with the turn of the pages. Wow…what an absolute wonderfully written story with believable and relatable characters. So many lives changed forever and the courage that people found within themselves to survive is so inspiring. The unconditional love of a wife for her husband to risk everything she has for him is so inspirational. The fact that this book is based on a true story makes it even more heart-wrenching. I can’t recommend this incredible story enough, absolutely breathtaking. Must read it now.
Thank you Ellie Midwood for such an amazing historical fiction novel. I absolutely loved everything about this book. I highly recommend it.
Oh my goodness I almost don’t know where to begin explaining how phenomenal this story was. This utterly gripping historical fiction is heartbreaking and completely impossible to put down. I was totally captivated from the very first page to the last. This book hits all the feels and I was so emotional, tearing up and brokenhearted with the turn of the pages. Wow…what an absolute wonderfully written story with believable and relatable characters. So many lives changed forever and the courage that people found within themselves to survive is so inspiring. The unconditional love of a wife for her husband to risk everything she has for him is so inspirational. The fact that this book is based on a true story makes it even more heart-wrenching. I can’t recommend this incredible story enough, absolutely breathtaking. Must read it now.
Thank you Ellie Midwood for such an amazing historical fiction novel. I absolutely loved everything about this book. I highly recommend it.
August 20, 2022
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this powerful story
where is your husband? the ss man shouted at margot her jewish husband the one that the germans were always telling her to get divorced from
these were terrible times for the jewish people in germany as they saw their family and friends arrested and taken away some never to be seen again...
friends and neighbours turned on them as their lives got smaller and smaller, no help was coming from anywhere
and the day the men were rounded up and taken away was the day that margot and her fellow german wives who were married to jewish men stood up and made their feelings known....
what a storyline based on a true story, its shocking and powerful at its best and you cant stop reading it and neither can you put it down as it dawns on you that this truly happened and should not be forgotten, but its a story about love and how it can overcome most things
where is your husband? the ss man shouted at margot her jewish husband the one that the germans were always telling her to get divorced from
these were terrible times for the jewish people in germany as they saw their family and friends arrested and taken away some never to be seen again...
friends and neighbours turned on them as their lives got smaller and smaller, no help was coming from anywhere
and the day the men were rounded up and taken away was the day that margot and her fellow german wives who were married to jewish men stood up and made their feelings known....
what a storyline based on a true story, its shocking and powerful at its best and you cant stop reading it and neither can you put it down as it dawns on you that this truly happened and should not be forgotten, but its a story about love and how it can overcome most things
July 14, 2022
Based on a true story of several women who took a stand to protect their loved ones.
"When the power of love is stronger than any threat"
Margot was an aspiring actress happily married to Jochen until Hitler took over Germany. Jochen is Jewish and has had his German status removed and lost his job as it is illegal to employ jews. Soon Margot suffers, all because she is married to him. She loses her job and becomes a seamstress but is rebuffed daily all because of her married name. Things go form bad to worse but Margot is determined that the nazis won;t get the better of them.
Oh wow! This is a war story with a difference. Of one womans tenacity and determination in the face of terror and adversity, determined to do the best for herself, her husband and anyone being treated so very badly by the regime. I couldn't help but admire Margot and her integrity to do right both by humans and animals (loved Goose!). A truly stunning inspiring read to treasure.
"Never forget. Never again"
For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog
June 23, 2023
3⭐️ - I guess this book wasnt for me. I didnt like the writing style. I might try out some of her other books, since I‘m interested in history.
July 19, 2022
The story is based on true events, the Rosenstrasse protest that took place in Berlin in 1943. This book put me through every emotion possible. From rage to frustration and disbelief. Yes, I cried my eyes out. I can't even imagine going through that kind of hell. This story highlights the absolute worst in people, and how easily they can get mass manipulated, or fall frighten into submission. But it also gives you hope in humanity. In brave people that stood up against injustice. People that loved each other and stood by each other's side through thick and thin. In people like Anastasia, the bold and mad Russian princess. Or like the Aryan families that protested along with the spouses of the Jewish prisoners. They protested days in a row in subzero temperature. I absolutely recommend reading this book!
September 16, 2022
This book is a sucker punch to your soul. I don't care how much you read about world war 2 and what you think you know. This book will grab at you from the very beginning and take you on a journey Like you've never experienced before. Margot Is a German during the war. She should be free to do what she wants but she has a scarlet letter on her face because she refuses to leave her Jewish husband, Jochen. Yes that's right. They actually wanted her to get a divorce otherwise she couldn't have a job,an apartment or do anything that is respectful. Margot fights the SS and the ever changing laws for the Jews. She feels defeated but still keeps fighting. Although very heartbreaking, this war story will make you believe in love again. The kind of love that doesn't leave. The inconvenient kind of love. The love that lasts a life time.
September 18, 2022
Oh my goodness this book has it all. I was right there on the street with these amazing women as they protested for the release of their husbands. The book highlighted the true historical event- the one and only mass protest against what the Nazis were doing - it unnerved Hitler and his henchmen. If only the people of Germany and elsewhere all rose up against the evil regime before. Miss Midwood has the ability to turn historical data into engrossing stories. Highly recommended.
September 14, 2022
Great book
All of Ellie's books have been a treasure to read. All of her books are well presented, well researched and heartfelt. This book is wonderful in the courage that Margot and the other women had to stand up against evil. I have probably read all of her books and highly recommend them.
All of Ellie's books have been a treasure to read. All of her books are well presented, well researched and heartfelt. This book is wonderful in the courage that Margot and the other women had to stand up against evil. I have probably read all of her books and highly recommend them.
July 30, 2022
Berlin mid-30’s till the end of WW11
We are taken into a fictional world base on true events where the characters faced evil and where love and courage were contagious and many voices could not be silenced. This is the story of Margo, an Aryan woman who stayed loyal to her Jewish husband, Jochen, even if their friends ignored them, her mother rejected it her and the Nazi were haunting them...even worst.
As always this story is heartbreaking and as we follow them through a life of hardship: after losing everything they were casted into the street, they needed wits to survive. The story tells us how Margo’s love for Jochen never wavered and refused to abandon him at any cost, even during air raid where Jews were banned from shelters. Eventually Jochen fell into the hands of the Nazis and was imprisoned with countless of other, Margot risked her life to protest outside the gestapo headquarters with hundreds of women gathered shouting “Release our men”.... Jochen was released with many other men..... I gave you a tiny sample of what this book is about. It is filled with terrifying and heartbreaking events you wished it would have never happened...
Of course this is a page-turner that brought life to a terrible era. The plot gradually migrated from a simple life during the early days of the Nazi regime and as time went by to the hard reality they had to face...Ms. Midwood is a master in this era and knows how to pen a story that will interest and captivate us from the opening page.
This is a gripping story told with sensitivity and great finesse. The style is perfectly balanced between realism and fictitiousness and the characters come to life with great care. Well said and well-done.
I received this book from Bookouture via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it
We are taken into a fictional world base on true events where the characters faced evil and where love and courage were contagious and many voices could not be silenced. This is the story of Margo, an Aryan woman who stayed loyal to her Jewish husband, Jochen, even if their friends ignored them, her mother rejected it her and the Nazi were haunting them...even worst.
As always this story is heartbreaking and as we follow them through a life of hardship: after losing everything they were casted into the street, they needed wits to survive. The story tells us how Margo’s love for Jochen never wavered and refused to abandon him at any cost, even during air raid where Jews were banned from shelters. Eventually Jochen fell into the hands of the Nazis and was imprisoned with countless of other, Margot risked her life to protest outside the gestapo headquarters with hundreds of women gathered shouting “Release our men”.... Jochen was released with many other men..... I gave you a tiny sample of what this book is about. It is filled with terrifying and heartbreaking events you wished it would have never happened...
Of course this is a page-turner that brought life to a terrible era. The plot gradually migrated from a simple life during the early days of the Nazi regime and as time went by to the hard reality they had to face...Ms. Midwood is a master in this era and knows how to pen a story that will interest and captivate us from the opening page.
This is a gripping story told with sensitivity and great finesse. The style is perfectly balanced between realism and fictitiousness and the characters come to life with great care. Well said and well-done.
I received this book from Bookouture via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it
August 30, 2022
Like many of Ms. Midwood’s novels, ‘The Wife Who Risked Everything’ is based on a true story set in Nazi Germany. And it’s another belter of a book which grabs you from the opening paragraph:
“Something was terribly wrong. With her hand pressed against her chest, Margot watched the trucks pull to a stop along their narrow street, virtually sealing it. Through the fog of her breath on the glass, she saw the gray figures of SS men descend upon the snow-covered cobbles, slamming their jackboots onto the stones with blood-chilling finality. Moments later, they were inside the entrance to the building, their feet banging on the wooden stairs, their fists smashing into apartment doors.”
If that doesn’t whet your appetite, I’d suggest you check that you still have a pulse.
Margot’s husband is Jewish, and as the Third Reich’s persecution of Jews turns to outright genocide, she will have some difficult decisions to make…
Written with a strong emotional voice, a riveting plot, and telling details of the time and place, this is a fine novel which deserves a wide readership.
“On the stairs, just one flight down, a torn teddy bear missing a button of an eye was lying, bearing the imprint of an SS jackboot.”
Five deserved stars. Next one, please. I’m waiting…
“Something was terribly wrong. With her hand pressed against her chest, Margot watched the trucks pull to a stop along their narrow street, virtually sealing it. Through the fog of her breath on the glass, she saw the gray figures of SS men descend upon the snow-covered cobbles, slamming their jackboots onto the stones with blood-chilling finality. Moments later, they were inside the entrance to the building, their feet banging on the wooden stairs, their fists smashing into apartment doors.”
If that doesn’t whet your appetite, I’d suggest you check that you still have a pulse.
Margot’s husband is Jewish, and as the Third Reich’s persecution of Jews turns to outright genocide, she will have some difficult decisions to make…
Written with a strong emotional voice, a riveting plot, and telling details of the time and place, this is a fine novel which deserves a wide readership.
“On the stairs, just one flight down, a torn teddy bear missing a button of an eye was lying, bearing the imprint of an SS jackboot.”
Five deserved stars. Next one, please. I’m waiting…
August 16, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Ellie Midwood for the opportunity to read the ARC book.
This is one of the most heartbreaking WW2 books I have ever read which is a true-story based and Ellie Midwood is now my favourite historical fiction author.
I read few WW2 historical fictions but normally based in Poland and Hungary. The Wife Who Risked Everything brought us back to Berlin in 1935. The German actress Margot was happily married to Jochen who was a Jewish before the unthinkable dark time. The cruel laws in Nazi Germany made Jochen became unemployed. No one would like to be in touch with them, even Margot's parents.
What will you do if you were Margot?
Under Ellie's pen here, Margot was a devoted, steadfast, loyal and smart woman. Her priority was to keep her husband safe, whatever happened. Ellie allows us to follow from the beginning for event, the helpless moments and the love between Margot and Jochen under this tyrannical regime period.
If you ask me to recommend only one WW2 book, The Wife Who Risked Everything by Ellie Midwood is my recommendation.
This is one of the most heartbreaking WW2 books I have ever read which is a true-story based and Ellie Midwood is now my favourite historical fiction author.
I read few WW2 historical fictions but normally based in Poland and Hungary. The Wife Who Risked Everything brought us back to Berlin in 1935. The German actress Margot was happily married to Jochen who was a Jewish before the unthinkable dark time. The cruel laws in Nazi Germany made Jochen became unemployed. No one would like to be in touch with them, even Margot's parents.
What will you do if you were Margot?
Under Ellie's pen here, Margot was a devoted, steadfast, loyal and smart woman. Her priority was to keep her husband safe, whatever happened. Ellie allows us to follow from the beginning for event, the helpless moments and the love between Margot and Jochen under this tyrannical regime period.
If you ask me to recommend only one WW2 book, The Wife Who Risked Everything by Ellie Midwood is my recommendation.
August 24, 2022
The Wife Who Risked Everything is another cracker from Ellie Midwood. Heartbreaking, and totally gripping! Ellie brings the characters to life. She is very knowledgeable about this timeframe and it shows in her superb writing.
I love the fact that this book is based on a true story, it brings the brutal truth of what happened back then to a new audience.
The characters of Margot and Jochen are full of love, hope and courage. Margot a German seamstress is very brave, she will do anything and everything to protect the love of her life, Jochen who is a Jew from the Nazis.
The author is very descriptive in her writing. You can feel the atmosphere, the fear as Margot’s so-called friends avoid her in the streets, you will feel the emotions and tension as you read further along into the book.
I totally recommend this book and a well-deserved 5 stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy.
I love the fact that this book is based on a true story, it brings the brutal truth of what happened back then to a new audience.
The characters of Margot and Jochen are full of love, hope and courage. Margot a German seamstress is very brave, she will do anything and everything to protect the love of her life, Jochen who is a Jew from the Nazis.
The author is very descriptive in her writing. You can feel the atmosphere, the fear as Margot’s so-called friends avoid her in the streets, you will feel the emotions and tension as you read further along into the book.
I totally recommend this book and a well-deserved 5 stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy.
August 19, 2022
Ellie does it again!
My favourite WWII historical fiction author.
This story is a quiet one in the sense that it does not take place in the concentration camps but rather the persecution of the inter-marriages between Germans and Jews.
Wow, the power of Margot and Jochen's commitment to one another was a sight to behold and I am so touched after reading this. I have no words. It's brilliant and any fan of WWII historical fiction should read this author!
My favourite WWII historical fiction author.
This story is a quiet one in the sense that it does not take place in the concentration camps but rather the persecution of the inter-marriages between Germans and Jews.
Wow, the power of Margot and Jochen's commitment to one another was a sight to behold and I am so touched after reading this. I have no words. It's brilliant and any fan of WWII historical fiction should read this author!
August 22, 2022
Such a gripping story! And, such bravery! World War II and Adolf Hitler were some of the darkest times in history especially with the persecution of the Jewish people and “non-Aryans”. It seems to me that people have not learned from the past with the hatred and non-acceptance of races today. Perhaps we could learn more by reading such stories like this. Ellie Midwood is a superb writer!
August 23, 2022
Just WOW!! Ellie Midwood did it again! An incredible WWII story about strength in the face of terror. The power of love and bravery. The tears definitely were flowing in this book!
The story follows a Jewish man, jochen and his German wife, Margot, during the Nazi invasion. They are a wealthy Berlin couple who end up at fighting for Jochen’s life and freedom. The life and freedoms that Margot gives up for her husband, shows you the power of love.
Thank you Netgalley for your advanced reader copy!
The story follows a Jewish man, jochen and his German wife, Margot, during the Nazi invasion. They are a wealthy Berlin couple who end up at fighting for Jochen’s life and freedom. The life and freedoms that Margot gives up for her husband, shows you the power of love.
Thank you Netgalley for your advanced reader copy!
August 25, 2022
I am a big fan of Ellie Midwood books. This one was the story of a German woman who marries a Jewish man in 1930 Berlin. As her husband has more rights taken away and they struggle to survive, she will do anything to save him. Such a story of love and courage that in the end can defeat evil.
September 4, 2022
I love Ellie. I love her writing style, and I’ve read all of her books. The Wife Who Risked Everything did not disappoint. Very beautifully written, and the plot kept me on my toes to where I truly could not put the book down.
The one thing I wished for was more. I felt there was so much buildup and then the story ended rather suddenly, but it did give me an excuse to research into the Rosenstrasse protest to fill in the gaps.
As always, I cannot wait for her next book.
The one thing I wished for was more. I felt there was so much buildup and then the story ended rather suddenly, but it did give me an excuse to research into the Rosenstrasse protest to fill in the gaps.
As always, I cannot wait for her next book.
September 15, 2022
This is a great historical fiction read. I love this author and will recommend any of her books! This story involves a German woman who is married to a Jew during the Nazi takeover of Germany, which at that point in time, was illegal. The FMC does whatever it takes to keep the Nazis from taking her husband away to be murdered toward the end of WWII. This book keeps you engaged and I definitely recommend it if you enjoy this type of book.
September 14, 2022
A breathtaking ending!
A story of the outstanding courage of German women who refused to turn their backs on their Jewish husband's.
During Hitler's reign of terror!
Wonderful and totally lovable character's throughout the story. A particular favourite of mine was Anastasia, who's strength and fortitude made her an outstanding character in the book.
I loved it, and would highly recommend this book as a must read!
A story of the outstanding courage of German women who refused to turn their backs on their Jewish husband's.
During Hitler's reign of terror!
Wonderful and totally lovable character's throughout the story. A particular favourite of mine was Anastasia, who's strength and fortitude made her an outstanding character in the book.
I loved it, and would highly recommend this book as a must read!
September 3, 2022
What a beautiful story of the enduring power of love. Yet again Ellie brings a remarkable story to life. You get so immersed in the writing that it is nearer impossible to drag yourself away. Thank you again for retelling a tragic and harrowing story with so much heart.
August 24, 2022
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Another fine book by author Ellie Midwood. German Margot and her Jewish husband, Joshen, suffer together as the Nazi rules and brutality escalate in Berlin. She finds herself demonized for the marriage with more and more taken away from them. She must stand up for him as well as herself against the tightening noose. Well written and recommended reading.
Another fine book by author Ellie Midwood. German Margot and her Jewish husband, Joshen, suffer together as the Nazi rules and brutality escalate in Berlin. She finds herself demonized for the marriage with more and more taken away from them. She must stand up for him as well as herself against the tightening noose. Well written and recommended reading.
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