BOOK REVIEW: THE ORPHANS OF BERLIN BY JINA BACARR—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
Boldwood Books, 2022 ISBN: 978-1-80415-346-8

Distance and independence from her overbearing mother are just what Kay Alexander needs to establish her life on her own terms, and figure out who she is and her place in the world. When her uncle Archibald offers her an unusual opportunity in Paris, she jumps at the chance. Fluent in French, a debutante, socialite, and heiress to her family’s Radwell chocolate business, Kay feels confident to take on this challenge.

How hard can it be to mingle and observe what goes on in the salons and grand hotels, and spy on some German leader named Hitler?

Under the guise of studying the French chocolate business, in order to open an American Radwell Chocolates branch in Paris, Kay finds her own troubles pale in comparison to the realities of German occupation, brutal Nazi soldiers, and horrific antisemitism.

Thrust into the precipice of a world on the verge of war, Kay determines to use her money and affluence to help as many people as she can; in particular three young Jewish sisters, desperate to escape Europe and the certain death camps that threaten to swallow them up.

The risks she takes, the friends she makes, and the daring pilot she falls in love with, will change her life forever.

As one of the characters states, “…we’re stronger in harmony.”
The Orphans of Berlin is a song of bravery, sacrifice, and freedom that sings out loud and strong.

Veronica Jorge

Hitler is in power and rights are starting to be taken from Jewish people. Three sisters and their parents are trying to get out of Germany. On the other side of the ocean an American heiress does not want the life her mother laid out for her. The woman and the family will meet and change each other’s lives.

This book takes place at the very beginning of the war, before many other countries has joined the fight. I really enjoyed Kay’s story and how she forged her own path. She does what she wants despite her mothers protests. I loved how she becomes involved in the chocolate company.

The story is told from Kay and Rachel, the oldest of the German sisters). It is a well written and attention holding story. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it.

A memorable read about a candy heiress, cum spy, who aids three Jewish sisters in getting out of France during WWII.
The events leading up to 1942 are revealed in alternating chapters, first Kay, then Rachel. Both women have a lot in their plate: Kay’s secret wealth and tensions with her mother and Rachel’s promise to always look after her two sisters.
Even a very difficult character gets won over and lightens up, which shows just one nuance Of character development for the book.
The author wove on some very personal private pain into one of the scenes, which she explains in the afterward.
This is historical fiction at its finest.

The Orphans Of Berlin by Jina Bacarr is a powerful historical novel that consumed me from the start.
The action is set from 1936 to roughly 1942, with a post war epilogue. We hear the events through two alternating voices, both of which are incredibly brave.
Events take place in America, Paris and Berlin. The gaiety of America in 1936 contrasts with events in Europe as the storm clouds are gathering, and the persecution of the Jewish people is beginning to reach beyond Germany.
It is against this background that we find ordinary people committing extraordinary acts of bravery. Despite the fear, even young children stand up for family. It was a time of unspeakable horror, and also great love and bravery.
As we follow the orphans of Berlin, we see an ordinary Jewish family who are united by love and music. Music lifts us beyond our circumstances as we seek to lose ourselves within the melody.
Before the war, we see the pressures put on an American heiress to make a marriage match. She is worth so much more than her fortune. As her character emerges, we witness her strength and her tenacity to travel along the path of righteousness.
Love still blooms in times of war. We share the worry as lives face danger.
Jina Bacarr has constructed a powerful and heart-breaking story. Her fictional tale weaves in factual details such as Kristallnacht, the kinder transport, Berlin zoo etc. I was completely caught up in the action, hanging on Jina Bacarr’s every word. She has written a marvelous, captivating and powerful tale.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Wow what a book! Set in both Paris and Berlin this is a very emotional story that focuses on how Kay Alexander, a socialite from America, ends up being a spy and rescues the Landau sisters. The other main character is Rachel Landau who lives in Berlin with her family who run a music shop. The story is told from these two strong female characters view, how they meet and where their story goes from there. There is an excellent backstory for both of them and a fabulous supporting cast of characters. It was really interesting to read about the Kindertransport in Europe and lengths people went to rescue children from the Nazi’s, putting themselves in grave danger. There has obviously been a lot of research and I found this both heartbreaking and heartwarming. A fantastic read with an outcome that I couldn’t guess. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I was blown away by the magnitude of this novel. It is exceptional on so many levels. It is hard to know where to begin in singing its praises. The Orphans of Berlin is incredible in its presentation, topic and progression. The description is so vivid, it is like watching a mini-series. I also felt the emotional roller coaster rides of each of the dominant characters and was successfully transported to the settings of Philadelphia and Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, Paris and Berlin. I easily embraced the story lines of each of the two lead speakers whose lives are very different in so many ways. Kay is the American heiress debutante and Rachel, the Jewish musician Berlin orphan. Their paths cross and become intertwined in such an unexpected way. Each of their stories equally captured my attention and pulled my heart in so many directions. I deeply cared about these two and their associate family, friends and loves.

The novel opens in September 1942 with nineteen year old Rachel Landau and the French police storming the Chateau outside Paris where she lives with her two siblings. The local gendarmes are taking orders from the Nazis. Nobody is safe; especially Jews. But Rachel is not inside with them. She is on the grounds but in a secret meeting in the gamekeeper’s cottage when she hears the roar of the big trucks. Her worst fears are happening. Her two sisters are captured. Along with their governess – a Polish girl. Who has betrayed them? How will she save them from the death camps?

The second chapter (still in September 1942) introduces Kay Alexander and her undercover business. She is an untrained agent, spying for allies but utilising effectively her debutante skills. As her uncle Archibald says, it is her position in society that gives her a ‘certain cachet on foreign soil.’ She is clever and resourceful. We learn a lot about her in this chapter. How she helped rescue the Jewish Landau sisters from Berlin and now she must help them escape Paris where the Gestapo have been hunting down Jewish children hiding in France.

A few chapters in, we are sent back to the earlier days of both Kay and Rachel before and after they meet. Much of the story is told in flashbacks and how their chance encounter changes both their lives. Rachel is full of courage and determination and cares deeply about her family. She shares a closeness with her parents and younger siblings and will do whatever it takes to save them. After Kay meets Rachel and her family, she is deeply moved by their love for each other and warmth. So, when she is called upon to help, she is ready for action.

But what has led Kay Alexander to this place? We are provided flashbacks of her life before the war. We learn a lot about her—including her love of reading and how books are her escape from the real world. She is a very wealthy heiress to a candy fortune in Philadelphia who must ‘come out,’ find a husband and take her place in the top realms of society. It is Mrs Alexander’s ambition for her daughter to become Debutante of the Year. But this goes against every fibre of Kay’s being for these social things are of no interest to her. Kay Alexander wants to do something special with her life—something that matters. And becoming a debutante is not a worthy goal in her mind. She says it is ‘torture.’ Of course, at this stage she does not know how her social position will help her and others in the future. I found this part of her story quite intriguing—and how a debutante’s training in the art of attracting publicity will assist her in future missions.

There is one more thing Kay wants desperately and that is to gain her mother’s respect and love. But her mother has made it clear she is not proud of her—even after she gives in and does what she wants. She goes through the Debutant training and once done, her mother’s lack of true acknowledgement, breaks her heart and sends her on the run out into the world and into the arms of someone she feels she can trust and love. Of course, things go very bad and some major heartbreaking events occur. Yet Kay still gains no compassion from her mother who continues to be very sharp and unfeeling towards her. It becomes obvious her mother’s ambitions are clouding her judgement as far as Kay is concerned. But through a strange twist of fate or divine intervention, Kay’s life takes a turn, assisted by her uncle. Which then leads to meeting a special artist pilot and the arrival of love into her life. This man shares her passion to help others fight against Hitler’s takeover. They begin some harrowing adventures together. But Kay harbours a secret that may affect their relationship.

A lot of research has obviously gone into The Orphans of Berlin and Jina has mastered that and more magnificently. The core of this story circles around the Kindertransport history—an informal rescue of Jewish children from Hitler’s destruction. Moving them was an epic act of survival. With such hefty inspiration woven into this story’s fabric, it is no surprise that it is a gripping, heart wrenching story of chaos, sacrifice and courage. And yes, many were saved despite the battles and yes, there was also great loss. But Jina paints not only the sadness and devastation but also the love, strength and determination of those who fought hard to save as many as they could. It is a harrowing journey and one that is written in such a way you will not forget the horrors that Jews and others experienced under Hitler’s regime. This is a moving demonstration of steady acts of courage. A commemoration of the many who tried to relieve the suffering of these children and to deliver the wrongfully condemned. The Dedication at the beginning of the novel reflects beautifully the heart of this story. ‘To the brave men and women who risked their lives to save innocent Jewish children from the ravages of Hitler’s war machine…’

The Orphans of Berlin will stay with me forever. This multi-layered story has great depth and heart and shows how even initial negative experiences can be turned around and used in a positive way. There is also an epic lesson in The Orphans of Berlin that out of the ashes of sorrow, beautiful flowers of love and healing can spring—if bitterness is not allowed to take root.

The Orphans of Berlin is a powerful story of love, courage, determination, purpose and identity. It is a must-read for historical fiction lovers and deserves all the stars and more. It is filled with saddening moments but also joyous ones. The victories are sweeter because they are hard earned and deserved. I highly recommend this novel as it will touch your heart deeply as it did mine. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to Jina Bacarr, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my review copy.

Wow, what an emotional read that was.
The story starts with Kay Alexander, an American heiress being arrested by the Gestapo in Paris. A young German girl, Rachel, has come to warn her, but is also traumatised by the fact her little sisters have been taken into custody as well.
From there, the story is principally a long flashback to how Kay and Rachel met, and how their lives became permanently entangled.
A light-hearted beginning sees Kay as a reluctant debutante in Philadelphia who rebels against her mother's wishes to "come out" and find a husband. Sneaking off to dances with her instructor, Kay falls in love... but it doesn't end well (I'm not going to spoil things here, you'll have to read it for yourself ;) Sorry, not sorry!) Unable to face returning home with her mother after what she has put her through, Kay moves on to Paris before war breaks out, asked by her uncle to keep an eye on things "over there" and report back.

On a trip to Berlin at her uncle's behest to see how the German citizens are coping, in particular the Jews, Kay takes refuge from the rain in a glorious music shop, not realising that purchasing from Jewish businesses is forbidden. What follows is an enlightenment for Kay, especially on seeing how Rachel stands up for her deaf mother. Kay wishes she had that kind of lovingly loyal relationship with her own mother. Ever the rebel, she buys sheet music and a music box from Rachel's family shop, asking for the goods to be shipped to The Ritz in Paris. It is this connection that gives rise to the heart of the story.

Expect romance for Kay with a quirky British artist/pilot, a deep friendship with the amazing powerhouse that is Gertrude, and a heart-warming and heart-breaking relationship with Rachel and her sisters, whose life in Berlin is getting worse and more dangerous by the day.

The Orphans of Berlin tells the tale of despair turning to hope, casual encounters leading to the strongest of "family" ties, and the difficulty of keeping secrets from those you love. Told from Kay's and Rachel's perspectives the story is based on the Kindertransport scheme that saw 10,000 children be taken to the UK during the war. What seemed to be a rebellious streak in Kay turns out to be a determination to help others, to use her wealth for the greater good.
Beautifully told, with an ending as perfect as one can be given the atrocities experienced, it brought a tear to my eye. Highly recommended!

This book is titled Orphans of Berlin, but most of the action takes place in Paris and the main character is an American helping with the Resistance. The story is good, but it needs a different title.

This Is a story set in WII. It is the story of a Jewish families struggle to survive the Nazis and an American debutant who is compelled to help. The story is based on the Kindertransport rescue of Jewish children from countries occupied by Nazis. It is not a happy story and is a tough but compelling story. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.