I really did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. It kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the time. I really liked the narrator and never expected the ending. I did think it ended a bit abruptly with not a ton of closure but overall, I liked this book.

This is a historical time period that I’m usually fascinated by and enjoy reading about the stories of brave heroes and heroines who stood up against the atrocities in Europe. However, this story didn’t really motivate me to continue reading, and I almost DNF’d the book. It was a little show at the start and then had an awkward pace of sometimes quick but mostly dragging. I wanted to be more invested in the characters, but I just couldn’t. I am glad that more historical fiction books are being published, however I would recommend many others before this one.

Don't shoot the messenger: I admit I am the author's husband. I have never left a review, ever, but I am compelled to do so in this case.

I usually read all of Chrytyna's books as she is writing them, but our circumstances are such that I never received more than the first three chapters before she dug in, Now that I've had access to the audiobook, I have to write this. Usually, I enjoy late-night dinners, and talking about plotlines, discussing her troubles with them, but I've been out of the loop on this whole series (except when she's on her research trips in Vienna and Paris) So, when she asked whether I wanted the early reviewer's audiobook, I immediately said yes. I'm so glad I drive or walk to work!

Historical fiction fans, you need to read this. Anybody interested in current affairs, my wife is deeply entrenched in them and uses them to draw the parallels in history; it's kind of her mission. Besides the GREAT story and characters (I was "there" when my wife conceived Kitty Larsson's story on a Spanish beach), this is nothing like I'd expected. My wife essentially depicted our marriage during a very divisive time in Europe (btw: I'm Austrian, she's Minnesotan; I'm the "diplomat" in our relationship; she is the fireball who gets things done!), This story is exciting and it also provides additional enlightening facts about Austria's AND America's roles in the events leading up to WW2. Huge five stars and huge applause. Yes, she's my wife, but I am also her toughest critic (on second thought, maybe her mother is, but I definitely come after that). Thank you to NetGalley for access to the audiobook. You helped me catch up on my wife's work and I really can't wait for the second one!

All opinions are my own. (She is not standing over me as I write this; she will however tweak this, guaranteed.)

This is a behind the scenes looked from the perspective of an American who married an Austrian and what life was like in Austria and Germany as the Nazi party began its takeover.

It was refreshing to have a wwii historical fiction that was focused more on the beginning of the Nazi takeover and what it looked like from inside Austria as it was annexed into the German Reich. There are quite a few characters but it was never difficult to keep them straight and I was completely invested in all of their lives. It was a very fast one to listen to, taking only a day for me to finish it. It’s actually the first in a new historical series and I’ll be very curious to see where the next book takes us.

Thank you Bookouture & Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 - This book was a fun take on WWII historical fiction. This book is set in 1938 Austria, in the time leading up to the German annexation of Austria. Kitty is the American wife of an Austrian Diplomat and working in the US consulate in Austria. I found the perspective of an American consulate employee working to help approve US visas --and the politics around it--to be very interesting. The book was well paced and had a fun twist at the end -- though a lot of hints in the last quarter of the book, had me guessing the twist before it came. Overall, I'd recommend this book to any WWII historical fiction fans and am interested in reading the coming books in the Diplomat's Wife series.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Not only was this book one of my favourite historical fiction reads but it had me on the edge of my seat. A heart wrenching read full of hope, devastation and love. At first, The American Wife started off as a romance that has you hooked but then as rise of Adolf Hitler become apparent, the stakes have never been higher.

I had high hopes for this book as historical fiction is one of my fave out of genres and it didn’t disappoint. I found the details in the storyline one of the most creative parts, the way a resistance is set up and controlled is brilliant and slowly I started to piece everything together.

I think it takes a talented author to make you feel as though you’re involved in the storyline and to make you connect to the characters and that is exactly what Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has done.

I can’t wait to read the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The American Wife in exchange for my honest review.

Read more of my reviews at @turningpagesmm on instagram

The Secretive Husband

Kitty meets and marries the handsome diplomat Edgar. She soon finds out everything isn't as she thought. Her in-laws are staunch Nazi's, where does her husband's loyalties really lie?

As their time together is more and more strained and Hitler causes more and more trouble for her close friends she knows that she must make a choice. She must choose to help her friends or to do as her husband wishes and do nothing.

Kitty's choice could cause her marriage to fail, but her choice to not help her friends could mean their lives on the line. She must find a way to help them without her husband finding out, but can she? Will the Gestapo catch her and is she putting her husband at risk as well?

This was an exciting story with a lot of action and suspense. It is featuring brave women. It is a story of resisting the Nazi's and helping others that are caught in a giant web which they cannot escape as the war begins and the violence escalates.

I listened to the audio book and the narrator did a fantastic job. The narrator was very easy to understand and pleasant to listen to.

Thanks to Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger for writing a great story, to Madeline Pell for the great narration, to Bookouture Audio for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the audio book to listen to and review.

For this review, I used the audiobook version of this novel.

I absolutely adored this book. From the beginning, Kitty was dynamic and interesting. From her start as a bright, but somewhat sheltered woman to her coming into her own as part of the resistance against the Nazis, her character arc did not have a full moment.

This author has quite a talent for storytelling. The countries and people come to life without ever going off on a tangent or boring the reader with needless and unending descriptions.

I cannot wait to read the next installment!

For me, 4 stars means an incredible book. It means a book I am thrilled to have read and one I will recommend far and wide. I give out less than 5 5-star reviews per year, so understand that when I give 4 stars it is a high distinction.

The only drawback here is the narrator. While her voice was pleasant and clear, she is fairly cold and succinct. I think, had I read this book instead of listening to it, I would only have enjoyed it more.

I loved loved loved this story! I’m so excited that it is meant to be a series. I look forward to reading the next installment. That being said, the story ends in a way that doesn’t feel unfinished. You can read book 1 and stop at that if you like. It’s just ends in a way that leaves it open for the story to continue. I loved the main character. She did frustrate me at times with her actions that did not seem the smartest! But I think those actions were necessary to keep the story exciting and to spark emotions of fear for her and those around her. I even loved her husband, although I don’t know if that was the authors intentions. I will admit that I went into this book with the thoughts of “hmmm okay, another WWII nazi story in an already saturated market”. But I was very pleasantly surprised. Beautifully written! I’m watching for the next installment

It was love at first sight for Kitty Larson and Austrian diplomat Eddie and after a whirlwind romance and engagement, they are married in Vienna on New Year’s Eve 1937. However, the honeymoon is soon over when history throws them a curveball.

Kitty is working for the American embassy when the annexation of Austria takes place and life will never be the same. Kitty’s husband seems to align with the Nazis much to her horror. She witnesses the unjust treatment of the Jewish population in Austria not only by the Nazis but also the foreign embassies in Austria at the time, their unwillingness to expedite visas and therefore save these so called undesirables from the increasing danger they find themselves in.

Kitty has to make a decision whether to try and save her marriage or help her eclectic group of friends from persecution. The death of two of her friends is making up her mind for her. Joining the resistance is one way she can assert herself. But secrets between husband and wife threaten to tear apart the fragile strings that are keeping their relationship and marriage together.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, racing along at high speed though the years prior and the outbreak of WW2. A difficult time period in history as the backdrop for this story, however the atrocities of the time are often hinted at but not described in its full gory detail. This is left for the reader to imagine.

The American Wife is the first book in The Diplomat’s Wife series and I am suitably intrigued to find out how the story continues. It did not end on a cliff hanger which it so easily could have done.

It is not often that I read historical fiction but I was interested and the ending came a little too fast for me. It felt almost rushed to bring the story to a satisfactory yet predictable conclusion.

The only problem I had with the book was the narrator. A lot depends on the narrator of audio books and I could not warm up to Madeline Pell. I listened all the way to the end but never really fell in love with the way she portrayed the different characters in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Chrystyna knows how to weave a compelling story! Now I’m invested in K&E’s story! It is simply unimaginable how the victims of the Holocaust must have felt - nowadays, we take freedom so much for granted. This is a review of the audiobook and the narrator voice is spot on. I’ve been known to stop listening to audiobooks when the voice isn’t right - not the case here! Well done on the narration Madeline! Great job and Danke Chrystyna for this excellent WWII story!

how exciting to find a story I can somewhat relate to! my husband worked in international affairs and this just hit home for me. the story and characters are such a delight!

This was my first by this author and first in The Diplomatic Wife series! INCREDIBLE!!!

Vienna-Kitty, an American meets a man who will change her world. Her brother introduces Edgar and they quickly become engaged. He is an Austrian Diplomat and she must leave America to start a new life.

She meets Judith in Vienna who becomes a friend, but as the Nazis invade the city she knows her friend is not safe. Adding to the tensions Edgar is growing distant. Whispered conversations and seems agitated.
Could he possible be involved with the Nazis? Can Kitty get her friend out of the city with her connections? She does not trust her husband. At what risk will she go to protect them both? Does love win?

This incredible story is not to be missed. I highly recommend this one! The author has you swept away in this love story on so many levels. I cannot wait for the next in this series.

I only received part of the book, so I was pretty confused throughout a lot of it. I got the main parts, but am left wanting more to fill in the holes.

If I had the full book, it might have held my attention better. But, with all the holes I was left feeling a bit frustrated when it jumped around. I love historical fiction and feel that this would be a good one. The twist at the end definitely left me intrigued and wanting to continue with the subsequent books.

*I ONLY RECEIVED PART OF THIS BOOK*

The first chapter I heard was chapter 9, and it skipped to every 2-4 chapters following that.

From Ch 9 I was intrigued and excited to hear more. I feel if Ch 9 were Ch 1 it would’ve been a very interesting storyline. I think jumping in in the middle is a different concept and with a historical fiction plot line it works, especially with WWII. I think anyone reading historical fiction has a good head around WWII and which side a character was on right now. I believe starting with this point would’ve been a good catch to reel people in.

Because I only received parts of the book, I can’t give a full review. I can say I enjoyed the part I heard and look forward to reading the rest one day. I listened to the audiobook. I liked the narrators voice and wouldn’t mind listening to the whole book. I also think this would be a great read in a paper book (tangible edition).

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the free audio book in exchange for an honest review. This was narrated by Madeline Pell, who did a fabulous job with the story and characters! Highly recommend the audio version.

The setting is 1938, primarily leading up to the Anschluss in Austria, and the resulting fall out. The author does a great job with character development and painting vivid imagery of life in Vienna at that time during WWII. Kitty, the US wife of an Austrian diplomat, manages to get a job in the secretarial pool of the U.S. Consulate in Vienna. We see the Nazis through this lens as desperate people are trying to get the few American visas available. Kitty is a fighter, brazenly unafraid for her own well-being, and determined to help who she can.

The writing style was faced paced and easy to digest. I also was intrigued by the secrecy hidden within Kitty and Edgar's marriage, and discover where their allegiances lay. The ending was fast and furious!

Highly recommend!!

Unfortunately, I cannot listen to this book as it's not the whole book. It just jumped to chapter 12, then 17. I stopped listening to this book.

I will give it 3 stars as I like the story.

And hope it can be sorted so I can listen to the whole book and give an honest review.

I had the privilege to listen to an advanced reader copy. The premise is amazing….but it’s missing many chapters. Jumped from intro to chapter 8/9 then 12….17….it wasn’t cohesive because chunks were missing. hoping for guidance because this is a story I could totally get lost in and will update my review when I am able to hear the whole book ❤️

I don't normally read historical fiction but I decided to give The American Wife by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger a try. I wanted to like this book but just didn't enjoy it very much. The characters were somewhat bland and it was hard to take an interest in them. The pacing of the story switched between rushing and dragging quite a bit. Despite those things I really did like the writing style. The author is clearly a talented writer even if this book ended up being boring to me. Maybe historical fiction just isn't my genre. I'm sure others will adore this book though, especially fans of books set in WWII.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of The American Wife (The Diplomat's Wife Book 1) by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger in exchange for an honest review. This was an interesting and fast paced book. There was an interesting twist at the end.