This book did not start very promisingly. The language was cliched and stilted - I almost gave up. I’m very glad I didn’t. This tells the story of Katya daughter of Russian aristocratic parents who fled the revolution. To save her parents she is forced to abandon her studies and take a job as a governess in Vienna at the very start of the Second World War. Up until this point I didn’t like the story at all, the romantic element I felt was contrived and unbelievable but then Nazism takes hold and the story takes on a much wider scope. To save her charge from the horrors of the Third Reich there is nothing Katya wouldn’t do - the bulk of the book follows their desperate e attempts to escape and the horrors and bravery they encounter on the way. The second part of this book is incredibly moving, emotional and powerful .I won’t say too much more for fear of spoiling the story but it is a book that will stay with me for a long while.
Excellent - don’t be put off by the stilted beginning.

This was an incredible book that starts in 1938 Vienna. Katya wants to be a physician, but she’s forced by her parents into being a governess for a wealthy Viennese family. While there, Katya becomes immersed into taking care of twelve year old Gretchen. When Hitler’s forces invade Austria, life changed dramatically for Katya and obviously not for the better.

This book shows you the goodness of people in the worst of situations. There’s heartbreaking moments, and there moments of love, particularly the love of the family and not necessarily family by blood. Also, it wasn’t just the war experiences that were intense. We got to see how a child considered “difficult” and “different” was treated during the 1930s and having Freud and Asperger make appearances in this book were interesting. Obviously very different from how these children would be diagnosed today.

This was a moving story, and happily it ended on a positive note. The romance didn’t really interest me, but the relationship formed between Katya and Gretchen was incredibly done. I definitely recommend this book!

I’ve read other books by this author and enjoyed them so requested this one. Whilst I’ve read several books set in this era this is the first one that was set in Vienna. Heartbreaking and thought provoking. A really good read.

This was a really beautiful story, which started very gently, and then the tension really built in the second half of the book as Hitler took over Austria. It was such a gripping story, that I read it over 24 hours. The story drew me in from page 1 and I really liked having Freud and Asperger as part of the story. The story became so dramatic, and I really didn't know what would happen next. After the final chapter, I had to go back and read the prologue again, and it all fitted together. I have never read any of this author's books before, but I would definitely like to read some of his other books now.

This novel set in 1938 in Vienna has kept me glued to the pages all way through! The second half of the story was so intense that I read it in one go! Good characterization, a suspenseful and realistic plot, tension does not let down. Fear is strongly described, I felt with it with the characters. No gruesome details which is a plus for me. Highly recommended for readers of WWII novels.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this novel for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

“Goodnight Vienna” by Marius Gabriel is a historical fiction book written about WWII. The story starts off in the present (post-WWII) with our heroine, Katya, in Vienna. I didn’t know that, like Berlin, Vienna was sectioned into different sectors (American, Soviet, British, and French). The subsequent chapters set up the story, starting with Katya’s background (she wants to be a doctor) but is forced (basically) by her parents to be a governess to a wealthy man in Austria. Eventually, Katya develops feelings for both her employer and his pre-teen daughter. Along the way the reader meets some famous doctors - Freud (and his daughter, Anna) and Asperger. It’s decided that the three main characters will leave Austria and they attempt to in a very harrowing manner. The book concludes by picking up from the beginning - where Katya is in Vienna.

I really wish that the author had included some notes on what was historical fact and what was fictionalized. Obviously some facts can be guessed - but was Katya or the employer’s daughter based upon real people? Parts of this book were heartbreaking - especially the scenes in the ward under Dr. Asperger’s watch, but also on the various trains while our heroine et al were trying to escape. The fear people faced were described well enough to make it seem “real,” but the bits of kindness shown throughout the book were nice bright spots of hope.

In a nutshell, this book wasn’t what I expected. Katya is a fiercely independent woman - and that’s shown pretty much from the first full chapter when we meet her (that she wants to be a doctor I found wonderful!). But that she also cares about her employer’s daughter and realizes that she was unfair to her, I also found moving. Katya stood up to a lot of people in this book, but she was fiercely protective of those she loved and would try to move heaven and earth to keep her loved ones together. A very enjoyable book, but any book where I learn some new facts is always enjoyable to me.

This is one of the best books I have read in 2021.

It was so well written and gripping, I couldn't put it down! It does show the ugly side of WWII, it also shows the good side. From what I have studied of WWII, it is a great portrayal of what happened in Austria as Hitler rampaged Europe.

It shows goodness can be found in unexpected places. It shows that evil can occur anywhere. It shows that the mob mentality is still alive and well 70+ years later. It shows love can conquer evil. It shows that maybe what we think is our life path, is not the way things turn out.

Very few books have affected me the way this one did. It is almost 24 hours later, and I am still caught up in the story. And, while the ending isn't what you might think it should be, it does a wonderful job closing the story on a happy note after the horrors of the war and Hitler's actions. I laughed. I cried. I cheered. I booed.

My only complaint? I think Marius Gabriel should write a sequel.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was about the problems of the Second World War in Vienna. Katya accepts a job as a governess and gets caught up in the turmoil. The story is quick moving and at times the description is harrowing. I do recommend that this book should be read if you enjoy historical fiction.

Special thanks to NetGalley for sharing this free digital copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Wow! I have no words. I loved the character of Katya. She is clever and perceptive. I rooted for her throughout the story. The book is about Katya's experiences during the war, lost love, secrets, danger, redemption, and hope. I felt the book was very well researched. The entire time I was reading the book, I was wondering how many unique and heartbreaking true stories there are of the people involved or living in wartime conditions.
I think this would make a wonderful read for a book club for discussion in terms of morality and choices.

This book was sent to me electronically for review by Netgalley. Likable characters...story moves quickly...intrigue...romance...friendship...try this one...on a chilly afternoon, cuddled under a warm afghan...I hope to read more by this author.

The way the book started (talking about the first page!) really intrigued me.

The way the main female character gets introduced is something I would wish most of the books I would read in the future would do!

I would say I am thoroughly impressed with the writing as well as the character development of the three basic main characters.

It's been a while since I read a historical romance with an outspoken main female lead. I was a bit apprehensive when I reached further into the book if the character would lose its identity as to how she was introduced: a strong independent woman who strived hard to become a doctor when no one was actually quite impressed with the idea but was rather interested in getting her married to pay off her parents' debts).

But I am glad I met and came to know the male lead character as well as Gretchen, the child who no one could diagnose what made her quite different from the rest of the children her age.

I find the plot quite interesting. I feel the themes of child behaviour and behaviour therapy are dealt with with an understanding and with reference to the facts available about similar conditions. I find this quite interesting and refreshing.

As much as I love the writing and the characters, I couldn't feel the romance. It's okay as I was expecting a bit more I guess.

I would say all's well that ends well.

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing and the author, for the advance reading copy.