Helpful Score: 3
Excellent book about Elsie and Jane, mother and daughter owners of a German Bakery in El Paso, Tx, in present day. Every other chapter flashes back to Germany during WW-2.
A reporter interviews Elsie, to write a story about how Christmas holidays were celebrated during the war. She becomes fast friends with the women and her interesting story is intertwined through the book.
Back in Germany, we learn about Elsie hiding a 7 year old Jewish boy in a wall in her bedroom, and even her family did not know he was there. She found herself engaged to a high ranking Nazi Officer because he was able to help her family by keeping the Gestapo away. The boy eventually is discovered and somehow escapes being taken and disappears.
The story continues; about her sister who was in the Lebensborn Program, where racially pure girls were forced to mate and then give up their children to the SS.
This story was amazing and had me reading non stop. The only fault I found were the "handwritten" letters scattered through the book were very hard to see. The print was very light and the words very small. That is the only reason I did not give this book 5 stars.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you like historical fiction.
A reporter interviews Elsie, to write a story about how Christmas holidays were celebrated during the war. She becomes fast friends with the women and her interesting story is intertwined through the book.
Back in Germany, we learn about Elsie hiding a 7 year old Jewish boy in a wall in her bedroom, and even her family did not know he was there. She found herself engaged to a high ranking Nazi Officer because he was able to help her family by keeping the Gestapo away. The boy eventually is discovered and somehow escapes being taken and disappears.
The story continues; about her sister who was in the Lebensborn Program, where racially pure girls were forced to mate and then give up their children to the SS.
This story was amazing and had me reading non stop. The only fault I found were the "handwritten" letters scattered through the book were very hard to see. The print was very light and the words very small. That is the only reason I did not give this book 5 stars.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you like historical fiction.
Helpful Score: 1
Era 1945 WW2 Germany to present day USA.
1945: As a very young teen the bakers daughter lived in Germany during the war at Hitler's rein. We are told the story of the choices she made and hardships she endured.
Present day: Now with a bakery of her own, with a daughter of her own, and a life filled with memories baking the breads and rolls her father taught her how to bake we see how her choices have effected her famlies life then and now. Even though this story really centers around 3 women, Elise the girl from Germany, Jane, her daughter, and Reba the reporter. Elise is the one who stands out in my mind. If it weren't for her there would be no story. Parts of this read broke my heart and I cried. Parts were joyful. The book as a whole left me touched and still pondering why things were as they were.
What a mesmerizing read this was. Although I knew Elsie was a fictional character I so wanted to meet this strong woman in person.The author was new to me and I will searh for more she offers. There was a flow to this novel that kept the pages turning and the lights burning until late in the night. I loved it!!.
1945: As a very young teen the bakers daughter lived in Germany during the war at Hitler's rein. We are told the story of the choices she made and hardships she endured.
Present day: Now with a bakery of her own, with a daughter of her own, and a life filled with memories baking the breads and rolls her father taught her how to bake we see how her choices have effected her famlies life then and now. Even though this story really centers around 3 women, Elise the girl from Germany, Jane, her daughter, and Reba the reporter. Elise is the one who stands out in my mind. If it weren't for her there would be no story. Parts of this read broke my heart and I cried. Parts were joyful. The book as a whole left me touched and still pondering why things were as they were.
What a mesmerizing read this was. Although I knew Elsie was a fictional character I so wanted to meet this strong woman in person.The author was new to me and I will searh for more she offers. There was a flow to this novel that kept the pages turning and the lights burning until late in the night. I loved it!!.
Helpful Score: 1
The book is divided between Germany in WWII and present Texas. I found the portions from WWII very good, I really wanted to find out how it ended. The portion in present day Texas were not very interesting, and I found myself reading the book as 2 separate novels, first reading only the German portions, then finishing with Texas. I recommend the German portion.
I wish I would've read this when it first came out. It was published in 2012 when dual timeline books first became a trend. 10 years later and this is about the 30-40th one I've read and the format is a bit tired.
As with most dual timelines, I enjoyed the historical storyline, and the 'modern' one not so much.
As with most dual timelines, I enjoyed the historical storyline, and the 'modern' one not so much.
What an excellent book that said the hard things the right way.
Elsie is turning 17 in Germany in 1945. She is the Baker's Daughter. Her sister Hazel is away at, Lebensborn, the government breeding center to create a perfect offspring and nation.
Elsie accepts a marriage proposal to a Nazi soldier that she doesnt love, but to protect her family.
On Christmas Eve, a terrible night for Elsie, she also ends up saving a small jewish boy's life Tobias, by hiding him in her house and wall. Her family doesnt know.
This 1945 story comes to light because REBA, a reporter needs some background info on German Christmas Holiday Celebrations. Elsie, and her Daughter Jane get way off track of the original purpose of meeting, and become fast friends and confidants.
Reba is engaged to Riki Chavez who is a border patrol agent.
I dont want to give too much more away but really all the characters, Reba, Riki, Jane, and Reba's family, seem to grow and they decide to become true to themselves. Elsie did it long ago back in 1945.
There are many letters written between the characters. I really found the print of the letters to be small and difficult to read. But they were so full of details and info, you cant skip them.
Elsie is turning 17 in Germany in 1945. She is the Baker's Daughter. Her sister Hazel is away at, Lebensborn, the government breeding center to create a perfect offspring and nation.
Elsie accepts a marriage proposal to a Nazi soldier that she doesnt love, but to protect her family.
On Christmas Eve, a terrible night for Elsie, she also ends up saving a small jewish boy's life Tobias, by hiding him in her house and wall. Her family doesnt know.
This 1945 story comes to light because REBA, a reporter needs some background info on German Christmas Holiday Celebrations. Elsie, and her Daughter Jane get way off track of the original purpose of meeting, and become fast friends and confidants.
Reba is engaged to Riki Chavez who is a border patrol agent.
I dont want to give too much more away but really all the characters, Reba, Riki, Jane, and Reba's family, seem to grow and they decide to become true to themselves. Elsie did it long ago back in 1945.
There are many letters written between the characters. I really found the print of the letters to be small and difficult to read. But they were so full of details and info, you cant skip them.
loved the book!!
In some ways, two different stories. I enjoyed the Germany parts more, but still a good read.
