As the drums of war began to beat in 1938, the British Quakers were way ahead of the game. The Kindertransport program was launched in November of that year and by the following September when war was declared on Germany, a grand total of 10,000 children had been relocated to safety.

In this new Suzanne Goldring novel, we get an inside look at the risks and rewards for the women who ran the program. Each trip to Germany was full of unknowns. Would all the children make it to the train in time? How many guards would harass the children in Berlin before departure? Would the train be stopped before reaching the Holland border for more searches?

The Quakers provided such an invaluable service to the populations deemed undesirable by the Nazi leaders. Their story makes for quite a page turner. We also get a glimpse into what could happen to British citizens who got to close to the ruling class in Germany. And finally Goldring imagines a Jewish family in Berlin who are upper middle class until Kristallnacht shatters their lives. How does a mother decide if she should send her child away or keep her close?

Happy Publication Day to this exciting new glimpse into a crucial relief operation during WW II. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

This story is about how the Quaker’s played a big part in the Kindertransport during WWII.
I have to say, the author shared information that I had never known about. She takes us on a journey of not only from the parents and children’s perspective, but, also from the people who actually were in charge of the transport.
What a powerful story….
What a heartbreaking story….
A must read for those that are interested in historical fiction during World War II.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

What an incredible story based on true events. I had absolutely no idea how much of a role the Quakers had and honestly have heard very little about the Kindertransports. This is one of those reviews that is so hard to write because there is so much that I enjoyed it's impossible to pick out specific things. I didn't even highlight quotes because I was so engrossed with the book. That doesn't happen often. The only thing I suppose that I didn't love was the prologue and epilogue. I don't think this book needed an introduction to take us into the past. This is such a unique and important novel. I can't wait to read more from this author. And I hope to find a few more books about the kindertransports, I'm really interested to learn more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming the story is about the Kindertransports to England.
I liked how the story focused on the arrangements and the impact it had upon the children because I don’t think I’ve read a novel about this topic that approached it from this unique angle.
Dora and Brenda were fearless and true heroes as they hurriedly tired to rescue every child they could, as the window of opportunity became smaller and smaller.
I didn’t have much use for Verity even after she came back to England.
Stories like this give readers hope for the future, that in the pits of darkness, goodness still is present.

I really enjoyed this unforgettable and heartwarming world war two story about two courageous women, Rosa and Dora who risk everything for the innocent victims of war. The first book I’ve read by Suzanne Goldring and I couldn’t put it down. I loved every page. It had me captivated from the first page and I was swept up in the story.
It’s beautifully written, detailed, emotional and poignant with compelling characters that you feel sympathy for through their sacrifices and struggles.
I laughed. I cried. It’s just a brilliant read.
I definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy this genre. It’s well worth the read.
With thanks to #NetGallery @bookouture for an arc of #TheTwinsOnTheTrain in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 30 October 2024.

Thank you so much @netgalley and @bookouture for this advanced copy!

This was another beautiful and heartbreaking historical fiction novel, taking place in the WWII time period. Whereas The Twins on the Train started off relatively slow for me, it quickly grabbed my complete attention and I couldn’t put it down.

This story follows Dora, a British Quaker who dedicates her life to getting the Jewish children out of Germany safely, before it is completely overruled by Hitler. This was called the Kindertransport, and quite honestly, it was heartbreaking and beyond heroic. Dora’s story coincides with Rosa, a Jewish mother living in Germany. After the realization that she can no longer protect her children, she was forced to make the toughest decision any parent could ever face. Giving her kids to strangers, with a chance to survive, or keeping them with her in Nazi Germany.

As a mom myself, this story encompasses the most unfathomable circumstances. I hadn’t read much about the Kindertransport before, so I enjoyed learning about that (despite my heart cracking apart). The only thing I didn’t love was that the story ends quite abruptly, and it seemed almost unfinished. I wanted to know more about the war and all the characters, but whatcha gonna do. It was still a beautiful historical fiction work, and I’ll recommend it!

This book explores the role of the Quakers during WW II in Kindertransport (transportation of Jewish children out of Germany as the Nazis were rising to power). The story focuses on two women, Rosa Goldberg who is one of the women who has to make this heartbreaking decision and Dora, who is employed by the Quakers in England. The author, no doubt, conducted a great deal of research to make this book feel authentic and succeeds. The novel starts out slowly, and if I have one criticism, I would have liked to have felt a bit more emotion, considering the subject matter, and a little more connection to the characters. In the first half of the novel, I feel a little bogged down in the details, which while authentic, got in the way of feeling what the characters were feeling.
However, the book picked up considerably in the second half and I found myself connecting with the characters more. While this is a very hard subject to read about, I love historical fiction and I look forward to seeing what else this author has to offer. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
#TheTwinsontheTrain #NetGalley

The Twins on the Train starts off slow, very slow. It was a struggle to continue reading the book, but things finally picked up about halfway through.

This story starts in 1934, before things in Germany start heating up. Dora, one of the main characters, is responsible for helping thousands of Jewish children get out of Germany safely via Kindertransport.

Rosa, a Jewish woman living in Germany, ends up doing the unthinkable in an effort to ensure her children have a future.

Even though this book doesn't go into detail regarding the horrors of concentration camps as many WWII novels do, it still tugs on heartstrings. Much of the first part of the novel was unnecessary, and I would have much rather read more about what occurred once Germany declared war on Britain.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

As a historical fiction lover this one had it all. A beautiful yet heart wrenching book about that period of time. And what lengths some people went to in order to bring children away from danger.
I've never read about this part of the war before. Just fascinating.
I can't imagine the choices some people had to make during that period of time. Both those who helped and those who needed to seek it. Especially for their children and or loved one survival. Just what would you do!?

As a Historical Fiction reader this story captivated me from the start as i havent read many HF stories about the kinder train. An unputdownable novel at its best. a definite recommend

thanks netgalley and bookouture. all thoughts and opinions are my own and arent influenced by anyone else

In times of difficulties and danger there are people who would risk everything to help and save others. In this case the children of the Kindertransport.
The three main characters have a choice what they want to do, what choice will they make? What choice would I make?
Heartbreaking story that will stay with you for a long time. Must read for fans of historical fiction during WWII.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this story.

If you enjoy reading historical fiction, this book is for you. This book tells the events of World War 2 from a different perspective. It is from that of an English Quaker working for an organization to try and bring as many children out of Germany and the surrounding dangerous areas, to safety in London. Following the lives of several saved children, this is a must read!

#NetGalley

One of the best books about the Kindertransport of WW2 I’ve read!
It’s 1938 in Berlin, Germany. After the “Night of Broken Glass”, restrictions on Jews have become increasingly harsh. Many parents have made the agonizing decision to send their children away to England for safety. Members of the Quaker Society have devoted themselves to making sure that these little ones reach their destinations unharmed, a difficult task because the Nazis are poised to apprehend anyone that they choose to, without reason.
Many of the children that managed to escape on the Kindertransport were never reunited with their families after the war, and their fates remained unknown, except in rare cases.
An unputdownable novel about bravery in the face of utter evil, and the strength of parental love.
I’ll be looking for more from this author!
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

As the smell of smoke drifts through the air, Jewish people lock their doors. They no longer feel welcome in their home city, and while some mothers hide their children, others take them, clad in dark threadbare coats, to the crowded train station and the hope of a new life.

Rosa has feared for her twins since they were born two weeks ago. As she huddles in her filthy house, crammed in with her neighbours, she sees children growing weaker. It may be too late for her and her seven-year-old daughter Therese. But can she find a way out for her precious babies? Dora scans the desperate crowd on the platform, despairing as she knows there isn’t room for all of them on the train to England. And when a woman thrusts a basket containing newborn twins into her arms, a shiver of dread slides down her spine. Babies aren’t authorised to travel

Brilliant. Another tender story about how strong women and children are when faced with hardships and heartbreaks. This was beautifully written. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves WW2 fiction and the triumph of the human spirit.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This is the story of two women one who is desperate to get her newborn baby twins to safety and one who takes children on the train hopefully somewhere they will thrive and be safe. It tore at all my heart strings what the Jewish people went through while they were treated like dirt. It took a lot of strength and courage to survive. I love how brave children and women were. The story is utterly captivating with it's well written era and research. I cried heartwrenching tears for the characters and feel emotionally drained for all they faced. I highly recommend this book for historical fiction lovers!

Josef and Rosa Goldberg run a successful tailor business. It is 1933 in Berlin, Germany, and Josef truly believes that the Jewish community will be fine, the rumours will come to nothing. They have a seven-year-old daughter called Therese.

It’s now 1939, and Josef has been taken away, and Rosa and her daughter are living in squalor. Rosa knows she cannot look after the twin babies she has given birth to.

Dora is involved in getting Jewish children away from Germany and over to England. An extremely stressful job, not helped by the German soldiers doing all they can to disrupt everything.

As the train is about to leave, a basket is thrust into Dora’s hands, and the woman runs off. When Dora opens the basket, she finds twin babies; one boy and one girl. Dora knows she must do everything in her power to get these babies to England, and enlist the help of the other children on the train, to keep the German soldiers at bay.

Goodness, what an emotional tale this is. My heart went out to all the parents who were brave enough to send their children away, knowing they may never see them again. The Kindertransport managed to remove around 10,000 children from Germany between 1938 & 1939.

This is a story of love, bravery, and selflessness. I cried many times through this tale.

The bravery of so many during World War Two, continues to humble me.

When the war finally ended, many of the children stayed in Britain, and some emigrated to America, Canada and Australia. It must have been such a traumatic time for all involved.

A powerful and well written story from the author.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked this one that focuses on the Jews plight in Germany before and at the beginning of the war and what the British quakers did to help get the children out of via kinder transport.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

The Twins on the Train is a heartbreaking novel about the atrocities Jews suffered prior to and during World War II. The Kindertransport moved thousands of Jewish children from Berlin to England thanks to Dora's work at an organization based in England. The Kindertransport was a rescue mission that took place just before the outbreak of World War II, from 1938 to 1940. It involved the transportation of nearly 10,000 predominantly Jewish children from Nazi-occupied territories to safety in the United Kingdom. This life-saving operation was a beacon of hope during a time of immense fear and uncertainty, providing a lifeline for children like Rosa's twins, who faced a perilous future under the Nazi regime. One of the two main characters is a Berlin-based German seamstress, Rosa Goldberg. In addition to being a Jewish mother and wife, she is also a skilled dressmaker. Josef, her husband, is a successful tailor. Rosa and Josef Goldberg, together with their daughter Theresia, lived a comfortable life prior to the prohibition on Jews running businesses. In the aftermath of Josef's arrest and imprisonment in a concentration camp, Rosa learned she was pregnant. Two babies on the way! As soon as Rosa's twins were born, she made the heartbreaking choice to bundle them up in a basket and send them on the Kindertransport train to a better life. The decision to send her twins away left Rosa heartbroken and filled with a deep sense of loss. She constantly worried about their safety and well-being, her heart aching with the thought of never seeing them again. Despite knowing it was the best chance for their survival, the separation weighed heavily on her soul, leaving her in a state of perpetual grief and longing. Babies were not authorized to travel. It would take creativity on the part of Dora and her colleague to keep them hidden from the cold-eyed soldiers? Babies Esther and Josef had no documents and it was very dangerous for them to travel. They made it to England and Dora and her husband decided to take them in as their own. They also took in a seven-year-old girl named Ruth along with the twins. As I don't want to spoil the book for those who haven't read it, I am leaving out much more of the story. As soon as you begin reading, you'll find it hard to put the book down.

'The Twins on the Train' is an enthralling WWII-era novel following 2 different POVs: an English Quaker working to aid Jewish refugees from Germany, and a German Jewish business owner trying to navigate rising tensions. The story jumps between different locations and times from 1933-1943 and 2023, which can be a bit confusing, but keeps the pacing interesting. The progressive discrimination in Germany is heart-breaking to read, but there are many inspiring, servant-hearted people in this story too.

If you enjoy reading about women who've defended the vulnerable, even when it cost them, then I recommend this book to you!

Special thanks to the Publisher, Bookouture, and Net Galley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What a powerful read. At the beginning of the book I did wonder how the three main characters: Dora, Rosa and Verity fitted into this story but actually they are quiet cleverly intwined. Their stories are powerful, moving, gripping and unputdowable once you push through thinking what does this have to do with the title? To be fair that title is rather misleading as there's more to this book than twins who were on a train - maybe for a couple of chapters? Why? Well I don't want to spoil what has been a very well researched subject at the beginning of one of the hardest and darkest times in the world: World War II and the events that lead up to it.

These characters are brave, strong, unselfish and have hearts of golds. At times the book is heartbreaking but there are also moments of joy. I will be looking out for more works from Suzanne who captived me until the end, To be frank I went from not wanting to read to not wanting it to finish.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.