BLOG TOUR - The Girl with the Yellow Star

DESCRIPTION:

“We have to wear the yellow star! It’s the rules!” the little girl sobs. But her mother presses a desperate finger to her mouth. “Darling, today is different. We are going to leave our stars behind and go on a long journey. We must be very, very quiet, and pray nobody finds us until we are safe in England…”

Cornwall, England, 1943. When her husband is killed fighting in the Navy, grief-stricken Gwenna Devoran tries to fill the void in her life by offering shelter to two Jewish refugees in her farmhouse high on the Cornish cliffs. But at the train station, ten-year-old Lotti is waiting all alone in her neat red coat.

Lotti’s mother died protecting her on the journey. Now Gwenna is all this little girl has. Traumatised Lotti won’t speak a word: and when an order comes for German prisoners-of-war to work the farm she’s in more danger than ever. What will happen if the Germans find out Lotti is Jewish?

When Gwenna overhears Lotti chattering happily to German captain Max Reiner, showing him her teddy bear, her heart stops. Shocked to hear Lotti finally speak, Gwenna is terrified for the little girl she’s grown to love. But perhaps she can she trust the kindness in this German officer’s gentle voice and bright blue eyes…

As Lotti heals a little more each day, Gwenna risks everything to spend more time with Max, certain he doesn’t believe in the Nazi cause. But then a rumour starts in the village: Max himself fired the torpedo that killed Gwenna’s husband.

Devastated, Gwenna’s heart is torn between loyalty to her country, the memory of her husband, and love for the little girl she secretly hopes could become her own. With Max desperate to prove his innocence, does she dare to trust him? And should she fight for the three of them to become a family – or will the war tear them all apart?

An absolutely heartbreaking, gripping and beautiful story about how love shines brightly even in the darkest times, and the incredible sacrifices people make in wartime. Fans of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz won’t be able to put this down.

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MY THOUGHTS:

 

Title:   The Girl with the Yellow Star

Author:  Natalie Meg Evans 

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Historical Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   451

Date of Publication:   October 28, 2022

My Rating:   5 Stars 

Still reeling from the loss of her husband, Gwenna Devoran continues working hard. She is struggling to keep her farm afloat, but she also agrees to house two Jewish refugees. When she arrives at the train station she discovers that there’s only ten-year-old Lottie, who tragically witnessed her mother’s death. Quite naturally, Gwenna takes Lottie home with her. Sadly, Lottie will not speak, but Gwenna hopes that with time she can bring the little girl out of her shell. 

Meanwhile, things are difficult on the farm and Gwenna needs more assistance than she has. She is not pleased but she is forced to accept German prisoners-of-war to work on her farm with her. This increases her fear for Lottie, because she is hoping that these German soldiers did not discover that Lottie is Jewish. 

Still, Gwenna has not been able to get Lottie to speak, but one day on the farm she does hear Lottie speak, quite happily in fact, and it is to a German soldier named Max Reiner. This really scares Gwenna. But there is something that she sees in Max that lessens that fear. This brings about confusing feelings for Gwenna, because Max should be the enemy. But, Lottie is getting better and better each day and part of it has to do with Max. Gwenna soon learns that Max is different than many of the German soldiers. In fact, he is a man who did not agree with the Nazi cause and has done what he could to distance himself from that part of the war. However, his actions in the world, might have a very personal connection to the loss that Gwenna has had in her life. 

Of course Gwenna is torn. Focused on Lottie’s healing and future, the last thing Gwenna wants to deal with is any romantic notions she has towards Max. Meanwhile, Max has his own feelings and this might just place all of them in danger. This is a powerful story of courage, strength and love. Quite naturally it is about also about healing, as well as the strong bonds that grow between Gwenna, Lottie and Max. 

What a fabulous read by Natalie Meg Evans. This book was so touching, so inspiring, so uplifting, that it was utterly impossible to put down. Gwenna, Lottie and Max were remarkable characters and a their story was truly compelling. I loved the different take on this World War II historical fiction book because of the viewpoint of German prisoners-of-war. You can’t go wrong when you read a book by this wonderful author, and I definitely would recommend this book. 

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

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Natalie is a RITA nominated, USA Today Bestselling author of six novels: The Dress Thief, The Milliner's Secret (re-titled "The Girl who Dreamed of Paris"), The Wardrobe Mistress, Summer in the Vineyards, The Secret Vow and most recently, The Paris Girl. Look out for a heartwrenching WW2 inspired novel set in Italy, due out Autumn 2020.

Visit her website at https://www.nataliemegevans.uk

Natalie Meg Evans has had a varied career, first as an actor in London's fringe theatre, then as a PR exec and company director and finally, dream achieved, as a full-time writer. She lives with two very lively dogs in rural mid Suffolk.

Natalie has collected numerous awards for her writing including the UK's Harry Bowling Prize (2012). The Dress Thief was nominated for a coveted RITA Award by Romance Writers of America and it won the Greek Public Book award for the best foreign novel; also, the UK's Festival of Romance readers award (where readers rather than industry professionals select and judge). The Milliner's Secret was shortlisted for the same award.

Natalie was also nominated for the coveted Daphne du Maurier award and was named a finalist for a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award.

Natalie's titles are available as Spoken Word. She loves to hear from readers.

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