BLOG TOUR - The Bookseller of Dachau

 

DESCRIPTION:

Germany, 1940: “Can’t I say goodbye?” I shout, cupping my hands over my mouth. The Nazis dragging him away stare at me, soldiers with icy glares. No. No, no, no, they can’t make him leave.

In Nazi Germany, innocent people vanish every day, torn mercilessly from their homes and loved ones. When Matilda’s childhood sweetheart Hans is in danger, she doesn’t hesitate to hide him in her attic. Neighbors their whole lives, and desperately in love with one another, she’ll do anything to protect him. For months, they exist by candlelight, smuggling food and communicating in whispers. But, in the end, nothing can stop the soldiers charging in…

America, 2018: Grace opens a mustard-yellow envelope, and her world unravels. She has inherited a bookstore in the small town of Dachau from the grandmother she had no idea existed. Her mom, adopted as a baby, spent her life searching for her biological parents––and died without ever knowing.

Grace visits her legacy––a bookshop on a cobbled lane filled with lost memories. She combs through handwritten letters, unearthing the story of her grandmother Matilda. A woman whose one true love was locked within the barbed wire of Dachau––a woman who never gave up hope…

As Grace pieces together her family’s heartbreaking past, she discovers the long-buried secret of her own identity. But when she learns the truth, will she ever be the same again?

This heart-wrenching yet hopeful tale will restore your faith in humanity, and in the power of love to triumph over evil. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Orphan Train and Kristin Hannah will be blown away by this breathtakingly gripping page-turner.

Previously titled: The Secret in the Attic

BUY LINKS:
https://geni.us/B09BNLV7D8social

Audible:
UK: zpr.io/q9SMpEDKD7qz
US: zpr.io/2VdajCg8Z2fR

https://soundcloud.com/bookouture/the-bookseller-of-dachau-by-shari-j-ryan-narrated-by-kelly-burke

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Bookseller of Dachau

Author:  Shari J. Ryan

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Historical Fiction

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   329

Date of Publication:   October 29, 2021

My Rating:   5 Stars

To Matilda one man is the same as another. It is Germany 1939 and the fact that Hans is Jewish and she is German means absolutely nothing to her. Matilda loves Hans, has since they were children. When he is in grave danger, Matilda hides him in her attic, with the intent of protecting him to her last breath. It is not easy. Not only are her parents downstairs, German soldiers have billeted with her family. Somehow Matilda keeps Hans hidden and alive as long as possible.

In the year 2018, Grace discovers that she has inherited a bookstore in Dachau, Germany. The bookstore was her grandmother's. However, Grace not only had never met her grandmother, she was completely unaware of her. When she visits Dachau she is accompanied by Archie Alesky, the man that had been caring for the shop, as well as an assortment of old photos and letters. Between studying the photos and with Archie taking her around, Grace begins to piece together a very sad past that involved her grandmother. What she learns is earth shattering and heartbreaking. 

As the story shifts back and forth, we learn more about Matilda and Hans and how things turned even darker for them. Matilda's determination was utterly remarkable. Thus, the story did indeed prove to be one of hope and warmth while demonstrating the true testimony of love.

Despite the bleak moments in this book, the love story was incredibly touching. I loved this story and how Grace traced her past. How she learned about her grandmother, and the search for a history that might have been lost forever. Shari J. Ryan has a genuine connection to this type of story and has written an absolutely wonderful tale, one that I will remember for years to come. This remarkable story is now one of my favorite books of 2021.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shari J. Ryan is a USA Today Bestselling Historical Fiction writer. Her desire to write stories revolving Jewish livelihood during World War II stems from being a descendant of two Holocaust survivors. After the passing of Shari’s grandmother, she pursued an active interest in learning more about the inherited stories she yearned to understand better.

Shortly after earning a bachelors degree from Johnson & Wales University, Shari began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer. She then found her passion for writing books in 2012. In 2016, Shari began writing her first Historical Fiction novel, Last Words, a story about a lifelong journey through the eyes of a Holocaust survivor. With two character related books to follow, Shari quickly found a new passion to share untold World War II stories within a fictional setting.

Shari is a lifelong New England girl who lives to make people laugh. She is happily married with two wonderful sons and a spunky Australian Shepard, who fits right in with the family.

Social Media
Website: https://www.sharijryan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsharijryan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharijryan
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7060506.Shari_J_Ryan