Simply wow! It's clear that Ms. Ryan did thorough research. The way she crafted the story makes the reader feel like these were the true lives of Emilie, Danner, Otto, Felix, and Gerty. These characters grew up together, sharing their childhood in Munich until Nazism dug its claws into German society. Emilie loves Danner but the fact that he is Jewish prevents their ability to be together. I really enjoyed how the story intertwined timelines, making it that much more realistic. Definitely hard to put down!

10 ⭐️’s
Once again, Ms Ryan has written an absolutely heart wrenching book. Every time I start one of her books, I know my heart will be hanging in tattered pieces and I’m left with a book hangover! This book will leave you an emotional mess. The sadness is palpable, as is the anger. The heartbreak is surreal. It is a story of betrayal of the worst kind. It is, once again, a reminder of the cruel world that once was and one that is only a generation away. Yet it is also a story of hope and love. True love that will bring you through the darkest of days. It’s a story of family and friends. This book is amazing. The characters so vivid and real. You will laugh, a little, and you will cry, a lot. But as always, it is definitely worth reading!!

I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.

Emilie has been told she’s there to nurse evil men. But the first patient she sees is hauntingly familiar—her childhood sweetheart, Danner, in a tattered prisoner’s uniform. Her husband, Otto, assured her this was a camp for criminals. He should know, he’s the doctor. But Danner would never have broken the law.

As Emilie looks into Danner’s eyes, she's transported back to their happy childhood in Munich. The friendship they shared. The way her heart once felt like it beat only for him, before the Jewish laws were enforced and Danner pushed Emilie away to protect her, breaking her heart.

Desperate for answers, Emilie rushes to find Otto. She discovers him waiting with confidentiality papers for her to sign and realizes her husband has been lying. This isn’t a place to treat sick criminals but to murder the innocent. And Otto tells her if she doesn’t help, they'll both die.

This book offers a compelling premise but falls short in execution. The narrative is choppy, jumping back and forth in time, which disrupts the flow and makes it difficult to become fully absorbed in the story.

While both Danner and Emilie are well-developed characters, and their circumstances are heartbreaking, the non-linear timeline does not enhance the story and may have been more effective with a straightforward presentation. Despite the flaws, the emotional depth of the characters and the harrowing setting provides a poignant backdrop for a tale of love and survival.

Another amazing book by Shari J. Ryan! She never fails to raise awareness to different issues of the war with her books and there is so much to unpack from this book as well. While it could be called predictable in part, I feel like the predictability can be forgiven due to how well the story has been written.

The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari J. Ryan is a WWII novel of hope in the darkest of times. Based between Dachau and Munich, the novel is told from dual POV's through time, giving an intimate insight into the lives, perspectives and thoughts of Emilie and Danner.

Childhood friends, torn aparat by faith and war through circumstances out of their control, Emilie and Danners love for each other staying alive and strong despite the terrible atrocities surrounding them and affecting them. Fate places them both in Dachau. Danner as a prisoner, Emilie as a nurse, both on either sides of the barbed wire

I have never read a novel by Shari J Ryan, but as a lover of historical fiction, I will certainly be reading more from this author in the future. Written with respect and empathy for the souls taken in the worst atrocity of the 20th century, a story of he humanity in the deepest of tragedies

Lest we forget

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author Shari J Ryan for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

This story is from the point of view of someone who wound up working in the camp but was lied to about its purpose by her husband. It's quite frankly, a point of view I have never read before, and very well written at that.

Shari J Ryan is turning into a must-read author for me, and this book definitely didn't disappoint.

1942, Emilie and husband Otto live in Dachau. When Ottto tells his wife that he needs her help with his job, she realises he works in the concentration camp. The last person Emilie expects to see incarcerated is their childhood friend Danner. What follows is a multi timeline, multi point of view story examining the culture and history of the period.

Beautifully written, it is a wonderful story of love, friendship and hope. The author doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the camp, and it's a very emotional book.

Danner, Emilie, Otto, Gertie, Felix - all good friends back in school days Munich. But as they grew, the country changed. Hitler declared war, Jews were ostracized and life changed as those friends had known it. When Otto and Emilie married, Otto took them to a new home near the camp at Dachau. It was 1942 and he was to work in the camp as the doctor while Emilie stayed at home. But soon Otto needed Emilie and her medical knowledge inside the camp as well. Her first day inside the barbed wire fences had her shaking with terror, but it was seeing a familiar face; hearing a familiar voice, which shattered her composure. Why was Danner at the camp for criminals? Why was he so thin and malnourished? Emilie didn't understand - but once she made Otto talk to her, she knew more than she wanted to know...

The Nurse Behind the Gates is another historical novel by Shari J. Ryan and unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as her previous books I've read. The time frames were choppy, jumping back and forth plus it was at 47% before Emilie even got behind the gates. Narrated by both Danner and Emilie, I enjoyed both characters although their circumstances were heartbreaking. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book and the small twists to the historical time period that took place. I found the writing was great and a slightly different persepective of the genre. Instead of looking at all the bad, and there is bad going on, the author focuses on love and how one person CAN make a difference. Great Read

The Nurse Behind the Gates⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Newly married Emilie and Otto move away from their hometown to Dachau, when Otto takes a job at the prison hospital there. Emilie has been studying as a nurse and she is asked to help him with data for a scientific research. However, that is not necessarily the case when she gets there, especially after seeing an old friend and her first love, Danner. Knowing that Danner would never do anything illegal to be a prisoner, she realizes that things are not what they seem. There are a lot of Jewish “prisoners” in this camp. After finding out the shocking truth of what is really happening behind the gates, she decides she will stop at nothing to fight for what she believes in.

Overall, I really liked this one. It was a Historical Fiction but followed as a romance with lots of information of WWII thrown in. It was told in the points of view from Emilie and Danner. The storyline followed their friendship/relationship from the past to present, to where they are now. While it was hard to read at times considering all the information and what all happened behind the gates, it was still really good and eye opening. The romance was that of an unselfish love and true love never ends. It was heartbreaking but also mending at the same time.

If you like romance but want to read more in depth books, I would suggest this one. If you like Historical Fiction, then add this one to your list. I always try to read a few a year and I’m glad this was one of them. This book publishes on May 20, 2024. Be on the lookout for it! Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

If you’re curious about how things were for people in Europe during WWII but find nonfiction historical reading somewhat dry, this talented storyteller has you covered. She has several authentic, informative romances set during the Holocaust.

Newly married Otto and Emily Berger move to Dachau when Otto takes a job at the prison hospital there. Emily's training as a nurse makes her an asset, and she's enlisted to work with Otto recording the results of science experiments. But things are not at all as Emily was led to believe, a fact that really hits home when she discovers her dear childhood friend, Danner Alesky, is one of the political prisoners.

Told in present day with flashbacks to childhood, we see how a friendship between three people is affected by war. It's devastating, heartbreaking, and unsettling, but through the darkness, love and hope shine through. This riveting saga shows us that the worst in people brings out the best in others, and it's one you won’t want to miss.

I had a really hard time following along the storyline of this book. I think because there were multiple POV’s, but I felt like it was just confusing and I got lost in the first half. Overall, the book was good. If you’re into historical fictions, this is a good recommendation.

One of the best books I've read in a very long time! I read this in small doses as it was very emotional - an extremely well written WW2 love story that will have you in tears! Would definitely recommend.

Emotional, heartbreaking, devastating. Shari J Ryan is masterful in her storytelling of the atrocities of the Holocaust. Reading this book, in the current state of the world, makes it even more compelling and important.
Emilie is such a strong character. Willing to stand up for her beliefs in a time where it risked her life for that of another.
Danner was the Jewish friend in their group but to Emilie he was her soul.
Otto, because of the times, married Emilie but was never first in her heart.
There were so many layers to this story and the relationships.
My heart broke throughout for the Holocaust, for how the Jewish people were treated, the fear, the lost loves and how it feels now when we should never forget yet antisemitism is running rampant in our country.
Readers are gifted with Shari’s words and are taught about different stories and aspects of the Holocaust.
The Nurse Behind the Gates is a powerful story that is a must read.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Quote: "A rare honeybee."

The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari J. Ryan is told from two points of view - Emilie and Danner. It also travels back and forth from now and years leading up to now.

We begin in 1942 Germany with Emilie and her husband Otto. They have been married three weeks when Otto tells Emilie that they will be quickly moving out of their current town. Emilie does not like surprises, and she is not happy about this change one bit. She has lots of questions.

As we travel backwards in time, we get to meet Danner, Felix and Gerty. These three, along with Emilie and Otto are all best friends and live in the same neighborhood growing up. That is until the Jews begin to be asked to leave.

Quote: "No matter where we go or what challenges come, we'll always have each other."

Danner and Emilie know they love each other and want nothing more than to spend forever together. However, with Danner being a Jew, he knows this cannot possibly happen. He makes Emilie promise that she will marry Otto and he assures her that Otto will give her the life she deserves. A life that he cannot give her.

Emilie and Otto begin working in Dachau, a concentration camp the Nazi's built to intern political protestors...or so they thought. The reality, it was a camp for medical research and Jews were used as the subjects. Imagine Emilie's shock when she walks in and finds Danner slumped over in the corner. Danner is in fact, a research subject, based on the choices he was given.

Quote: "If you had a secret - one that could destroy your life if shared, what would you do to protect it?"

The Nurse Behind the Gates is an emotional read. I found myself so invested in the characters and I could not stop reading. I just had to know what was going to happen. Shari J. Ryan did a fantastic job with the pace, as well as giving me all the feels. Such a powerful story from beginning until the very end.

What would you do to keep someone you love safe?
Would you make deals with the enemy, if it meant keeping someone you love alive?

The Nurse Behind the Gates is a story about two boys and one girl. But it's also about so much more!

Love
War
Friendship
Trust
Hope
Choices
Family

I would definitely recommend this book is you like books that make you feel.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Nurse Behind the Gates.

This uses the world war 2 elements in this story, it was a realistic concept perfectly and enjoyed how it worked. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and thought the overall story worked and was realistic. Shari J. Ryan has a great writing style and I'm glad I got to read this.

Another emotional WWII novel from Ryan. This moves back and forth in time and between Emilie and Danner to tell their story. Their story that sees them in very different positions at Dachau. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read for fans of the genre.

I've read many of Sari Ryan's books, so was delighted to be able to read this one. She is a master storyteller and I was immediately immersed in this story. I liked the back and forth of years prior to build the characters and storyline. This takes place during WWII and focuses on Dachau concentration camp. I don't want to give too much away but will say this - it's heartbreaking, and yet heartwarming the lengths that people will go to help others and stand up for what is right. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

This WWII book tore my heart apart. We know about the horrid things that happened to the Jews and in the prisons. The author made me feel I was right there. Tears running down my cheeks. A touching story about loyalty.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Nurse Behind the Gates truly moved me. Shari Ryan has yet again created the kind of exquisite historical tale she has become known for, taking the wretched occurrences of World War II and somehow making them beautiful. Which, trust me is not a word one would ever associate with the atrocities handed to the people of the Jewish faith by the devil himself, but somehow Ryan finds glimmers of light when the world is at its darkest. And as I find that I'm losing myself to her stellar words once more, I am forever grateful she brings these almost hard-to-imagine stories of hope and resilience to life.

This latest gem focuses on the city of Munich and a circle of families who all live near each other and have children who are each other's best friends. We get the perspective of Emilia Marx as the title character in both past and present to show her fondness for not only her friends but also her capability to heal from an early age. The object of her affection, whether when she was 13 or now as a young woman, was Danner Alesky. The Jewish boy whose life is turned inside out as the country he has always loved begins to turn its back on Danner and his family. We get his perspective as well, as both he and Emilia see their world changing all while falling for the other when it's the one thing they shouldn't do. But I could tell there would always be a special kind of bond between Danner and Emilia despite the evil that continued to ravage their lives as they were cruelly separated.

What I appreciate the most about Ryan's stories is that she offers up the horrors of this time in history as a necessity to paint the full picture of just exactly what transpired. This is always done with full respect for those who suffered and there is always that glimmer of hope that maybe it will come to a swift end and everyone will be reunited with their families and friends. I always feel as if I'm right by these frail prisoners' sides as they face starvation, horrific 'experiments' and the ongoing cruelty of little food and comfort. I am forever wanting to reach out and soothe their battered souls as Ryan puts us right in the line of fire, so to speak, giving us that glimpse of what was, and forever encouraging us to somehow understand all these years later.

I try not to go into too much detail with any of these WWII historicals because as unique as each survivor's story is for those who lived it, so too are these fictional accounts. What I always take away is how in the end, no matter what might happen to any of these incredible characters, it's the love that ultimately sees them through. Yes, there is plenty of sadness, reasons to cry and utter disbelief that this could happen. But as Ryan continues to give her characters the kind of hope that may be hard to even fathom at times, there is an inner strength she affords that is beyond incredible to witness. What Emilia goes through as she is put in her own prison of sorts is quite a revelation. We are shown that the brainwashing of that time may have seemed incredulous that so many would 'fall in line' without question, but as Emilia uncovers the horrendous truths of what has been happening to her fellow countrymen including her beloved Danner just because of their faith, I could feel her shock scream out from the pages of this book. But then was hopefully encouraged that she was one of many who used that rude awakening as the very reason to keep on fighting for those who couldn't.

The other element of this and previous Ryan books that make her stories a wonderful reading experience is how she concludes every journey. You're never quite sure if good will completely get rid of evil or that forever-tethered hearts will beat together again. But you do get the ending that feels right and that is bound to make you smile. They will most likely be through many tears but your own heart will be full and grateful you got to spend time with memorable characters and the way they miraculously made it through.

Shari Ryan manages to translate the difficult moments in time with beautiful prose and an understanding of what her characters continually experience. Her stories, although set in the timeframe of some 80+ years ago, remain timely and as important as any news article out there today. Giving an even more potent meaning to the words, never forget.

5++ stars!