Sarah Sundin, the author of When Twilight Breaks, has penned an enjoyable standalone novel that focuses more on the historical setting of her story than on the emotional drama of her characters.  This is something of a relief, because her previous series was focused on the emotional angst more then on the historical setting.  Don’t misunderstand, the stories were good, but this story has a different feel. 

The leading lady is trying to prove herself as a reporter in a male dominated industry.  This does present problems, but the story does not get lost in her struggles with this.  Evelyn Brand is an interesting character that has some fundamental character flaws that make one wonder how she ever made it this far.  As an example, she is frequently flapping her gums to people in public settings in Nazi Germany.  Her topics would very obviously have gotten her and those listening into trouble.  Discretion should have been something she learned early on it seems.

Other than that most glaring issue, the story itself was enjoyable to read.  The character of Peter Lang is an obvious typecast of those who at first failed to recognize how truly dangerous and wrong the Nazi ideals were.  His ideological transformation does summarize what must have happened to many during the pre-World War II days.

This story has some intense scenes, some mostly carefree young romance scenes, and some historically painful moments.  Get ready to laugh, cry and agonize with Evelyn and Peter as they navigate the days of Hitler in Nazi Germany.

Review of a Digital Advanced Reader Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Revell

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  A character recalls his father being beaten to death; an old man is beaten by soldiers; a rabbi is roughed up by a mob and blood is mentioned; a woman stomps on a man’s foot with her high heel; several scenes in which mobs ransack businesses, burn buildings and kill people; a fist fight occurs and blood flows; report of a man slapping a woman and kidnapping her; a man slashes another with a knife and then he is shot and killed, blood is mentioned. 

Sex/Nudity:  A man squeezes a woman’s bottom as she passes him; non-married characters kiss, hold hands and embrace; non-married characters share a bedroom, but nothing sexual occurs.

Mature Subject Matter:

Murder, death of parent, sexual and racial discrimination, war, death, kidnapping.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Alcohol is consumed at social events; a character appears to be drunk.