Disclaimer: This book is an e-book ARC given to me through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Churney's ability to delve deep into the complexities of trauma. The characters are portrayed with raw honesty, and their emotional scars are vividly depicted. Through their experiences, Churney explores the themes of self-acceptance, healing, and the power of human connection. The characters' personal growth and their journeys toward self-discovery are touching and inspiring.

The author's prose is descriptive and evocative, creating a vivid backdrop against which the characters' stories unfold. Churney's writing captures the intensity of emotions, bringing to life the pain, anguish, and hope that reside within the characters' hearts. The dialogue is authentic and believable, adding an additional layer of realism to the narrative.

However, while the book possesses many strengths, it falls short in certain areas. Furthermore, some readers may find the transitions between the characters' perspectives slightly jarring. While the intention is to provide a holistic view of their interconnected lives, the execution can be disorienting at times. A smoother integration of these perspectives would have enhanced the overall reading experience.

Despite these flaws, Bound by the Scars We Share remains a compelling read. Vivien Churney tackles the difficult subject matter with sensitivity and compassion, offering readers a glimpse into the depths of human resilience. The book serves as a reminder that scars, whether physical or emotional, can be transformed into symbols of strength and hope.

Bound by the Scars We Share is an emotional journey that explores the power of healing and connection in the face of adversity. While it may have some pacing and structural issues, it still manages to leave a lasting impact. Fans of character-driven narratives and stories centered around personal growth will find much to appreciate in this novel.

I was thoroughly invested in the two main characters, Zoshia and Grace, in Bound by the Scars We Share. Two women who seemingly have nothing in common, but as the reader continues to find out about their lives he/she learns they do have something in common that most people probably wouldn't. Zoshia is Jewish and she's musically inclined and has a goal of being a famous pianist. But due to the Nazi invasion, she decides to help children escape. On the other hand, Grace is English and loves ballet but she lives in a horrific family environment. Her escape, however, turned to something nobody could've imagined. Both girls had gone through hell and abuse in their own ways and it's just heartbreaking to read about their lives. I liked that they had alternate POV's so it was easy to keep their situations separate and I didn't get confused. I thought this was a fantastic debut.

This is a book about two women, from birth to death, and how their lives differed, especially during WWII and the trauma they endured. One is a Jew who is persecuted by a Nazi and the other is abused by her family. Both suffer abuse, and there are a lot of triggers in this book. It's a little hard to read as the POVs change from one chapter to the next, which can be a little confusing, but if you like a book that's more character driven, where you can really get to know the people in this book, this one is for you.

I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity to read this. I do think that these two stories are important to tell and there were aspects that were very intriguing. That being said tried really hard to get into this book several times but It was difficult for me.

The story has a great premise and I have no doubt about the parallels it may hold to the horrors of women from two different walks of life in World War II, However, and I acknowledge this very well could put me in a minority, I found that it was wordy and seemed to take a very long time to connect the stories being told. Given the title, this was rather frustrating. It almost seems as if the two stories could have been told as a two-part series and connected that way, so there wasn't so much disjointed back and forth. If it had been told as two separate stories/books, I feel like some important details may not have been left out, this would have made them more fluid and less disjointed.

Keep writing! We need more stories of what women have overcome and historical fiction is a beautiful way to tell these stories.

This book is an e-book ARC given to me through NetGalley by Matador (Troubador Publishing) in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book intertwines the lives of 2 women born at the same time but to very different circumstances. Zoshia is Polish Jew who had fled, with her family, to Antwerp in order to avoid Nazi persecution, Grace is living through the same times but rather than persecution from outsiders this is inflicted on her by her own family.

This is a quick read and extremely moving. I would definitely recommend to friends and family.

This extended bildungsroman charts the lives of two brave women: Zoshia and Grace. Their stories unfold against the backdrop of the twentieth century. They both have to fight against male domination in a time when women's rights were limited. Their hopes and dreams and determination are the essence of this fine novel.
The author has laid bare her heart and soul in this labour of love depicting lives endured rather than enjoyed. Her integrity and sincerity permeates every single page.

I found this to be a very moving and heartfelt novel about WW2. It was beautiful to read and left a punching impact after reading. Im looking forward to seeing what Churney writes next

Star Rating : 5 Stars

This incredible Debut Novel gripped me right from page one. A harrowing story following the two main characters, Zoshia and Grace during WW2 and beyond. This is the story of the trauma both women endure throughout their lives despite being worlds apart. Zoshia is a young, strong minded Jewish girl who loves playing the piano and dreams of becoming a concert pianist. Her family have to go into hiding and Zoshia decides she must help Jewish children escape the Nazi invasion. This colours her entire life and leaves with a never ending feeling of "why me"? Grace, an English girl living in Lyme Regis. She adores Ballet but she lives with a cruel father and Grace yearns to escape, only to find herself in the worst situation that she could have ever imagined.

The chapters deal with each character in turn, which I really enjoyed. I felt like I grew to know each character inside and out. I have to admit to a few tears. The cruelty both women see and endure is absolutely heart-breaking. There is a lot of sadness with lives that at times seem impossible to live. Both Zoshia and Grace endeavour to lead good lives and try to fill it love and laughter despite all the dreadful situations both have found themselves in.

The final chapter really brought everything together. No loose ends or "but what about so and so" questions. The ending is spot on and leaves you, as a reader with a sense of relief and eventual happiness for both Women, however long the journey, they both endured it with a fierceness that can only be admired.

I loved every single page of this incredible book, not a word wasted.

Review can be found on my website
www.nikipreston.com

Bound By The Scars We Share by Vivien Churney is a novel charting the parallel lives of two young women – both unknown to the other.
On the surface the women have nothing in common – an English girl and a Polish Jew living in Nazi-occupied Europe. Both suffered in different ways in their teens during World War II – one from persecution, the other from neglect and abuse. Each fought their own war. Each had different enemies. Their internal struggles were mirrored by each other.
A father’s past has coloured the way he sees and treats women – they can never do right in his eyes, no matter how hard they try. A daughter goes through life trying to please her father.
The other young woman was loved but every time happiness was in sight, it eluded her.
It is the next generation of daughters who bond and save their mothers. It is love that breaks the cycle of tragedy and hurt.
Each chapter alternates between the two women as their parallel stories unfold starting in the 1920’s and moving forwards.
Bound By The Scars We Share was a good way to spend an afternoon.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

DNF at 46 percent.

While I found some of the writing and description beautiful, the entirety of both Zoshia and Grace's early lives through WWII was so rushed by more telling than showing, and I never really connected with them or the story. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a lover of Historical Fiction and this one didn't disappoint. From the moment I read the blurb I knew I had to read this book. A story of two strong women with two similar but different stories to tell.

It delves deeply into all the trauma and indecencies women have had to endure in such hard and tough times. This book highlights how wars, inequality, injustice and cruelty impact these two women's lives. It makes you think, you feel all the emotions going through these women and it at times is heartbreaking. Yet it is uplifting in that these women prove that they are strong and courageous.

It was well written but sometimes hard to read due to the nature of the story (not in a bad way though). It drives home how far women have come in this world too. It was descriptive and flowed well, was honest and kept me reading until the very last page.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the author for granting me access to the ebook of Bound by the Scars we share by Vivien Churney! 3⭐️

If you like historical fiction and want a super quick read, this is for you.
This book is not plot driven, but is character driven, as it follows the journeys of two women, Grace and Zoshia, from their birth into elderly life. It takes place during the Second World War and in the years later when they have to carry on after the horrors they’ve experienced. Zoshia’s early life was especially difficult with being a jew in ww2, and Graces was also for the lack of love from her family.
Some heavy topics were discussed but I think they were written well, in a not too explicit way so it left it to the imagination. Other topics include Genocide, war, death, SA, domestic abuse, abuse etc. The ending seemed a bit rushed for me, but I’m happy with where each character ended up :) It felt like we were watching a documentary of these characters lives so if you like that type of thing this book is for you!

Historical fiction, particularly as it relates to WWll, tends to be emotionally depleting due to the nature of the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Bound by the Scars We Share is no exception. But this novel is much more than another war story. This is a story about the will to survive and about the heroic sacrifices some individuals are compelled to make when faced with the most untenable situations. To be sure, war is cruel and violent and unforgiving, but the human spirit and what binds us together is the most powerful force of all. In this story, Vivien Churney exposes us to the best and worst sides of humanity and allows us to see the enduring power of love and friendship.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Felt a bit disappointed by the premise of this book which was promising but finally not really well executed. Two parallel stories that meet at the end in à forced way.

Disclaimer: This book is an e-book ARC given to me through NetGalley by Matador (Troubador Publishing) in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book is a sweeping glance across two very different yet somehow lives set in the backdrop of WWII and the transition that took place following.

Zoshia and Grace must face their unfair share of difficult lives and people who don’t always have their best interests at heart.

For a debut novel I thought this was a really grand and ambitious idea and I loved the storytelling.

I rather enjoyed Bound By The Scars We Share. I liked that it is told in multiple POV. This is beautifully written and a very emotional book and deals with difficult subject matter.


Trigger Warnings:
Genocide
Depression
Attempted sexual assault
Neglect
anxiety
Sexism
Prejudice

This is a poignant story of two very different women, dealing with trauma inflicted during WW2 and surviving through the importance of friendship. In the U.K. Grace’s childhood is marred by severe personal abuse at the hands of her own family. Over in Poland, another young girl called Zoshia has fled to Antwerp after persecution by the Nazis in her native Poland.
Grace is at the mercy of a tyrannical father who is obsessed with controlling those in his family unit. Sadly, mistaking control for love, she marries a man who does exactly the same, but also inflicts physical abuse too, Since fleeing Poland, Grace joined the Resistance, proving to be brave in helping many other Jews escape and survive the war. Afterwards her life and her marriage are happy, but she shows symptoms of PTSD and can never fully free herself from the atrocities she witnessed in occupied Europe.
Years later, they meet by chance and sense a kindred spirit in the other. They are able to share their traumas and understand that despite coming from different places they are afflicted by similar scars. This is a lovely meditation on friendship and how sharing trauma can lessen its sting.

This book was a beautifully written, original take in the growing genre of WWII fiction. I will say there are traumatic events and situations, so be warned. But still a testament to the courage of women who refuse to be beaten by adversity.

The tale of two women born into very different environments during the first half of the 20th Century. One living in Antwerp, having fled a pre war Poland, battling to survive Nazi persecution, and the other surviving a different sort of persecution at the hands of her family.

The stories of these two amazing women follows their lives from teens in the 1930's up until pretty much present day. Their lives are intertwined only by their shared experiences and the strength that they both have to survive.

This was beautifully written. The stories of Zoshia and Grace show the heroics needed by two ordinary women to simply live life.

If someone was to ask me what happened in the book I would struggle to pinpoint one specific thing, it is possible to say that this is about both nothing and everything at the same time. It was simply stunning.

I am grateful to netgalley for allowing me to read this book as a pre release, I genuinely loved it.

In 1930s Antwerp, having fled a pre war Poland with her family, Zoshia, a young Jewish girl, battles to survive intense persecution from the Nazis and bravely endangers her own life in order to help save others.

During the war years, Grace, a young teenager, suffers severe personal abuse at the hands of her family in Lyme Regis, England and courageously tries to overcome the repercussions. As adults, both Zoshia and Grace face personal struggles as they try to recover from their traumatic experiences.

This unique and exquisite tale of two women from different backgrounds, juxtaposes both their lives as they each journey through the decades, over coming tragedy and anguish from World War II onwards. The narrative chronicles the injurious plight of women in an age of gender inequality, demonstrates the disastrous effects of war, human cruelty and exploitation, and dynamically showcases the power of female friendship.

Sadly this book just wasn’t for me, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with it I just could not get into it. Giving this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️