A heartbreaking WWII story by one of my favorite authors. The story had me from the beginning. I cried throughout the story as they struggled. A must read!

totally pulled at my heart strings and brought me to tears. such a moving and well written novel. highly recommend to all!!!!!

"I’ll Never Cry Again" by Roberta Kagan is yet another compelling Holocaust novel. Much like a romance where the ending is predictable, these stories also lead to an inevitable, tragic conclusion.

The storyline, characters, and narrative are exceptional. Kagan has a remarkable talent for bringing her characters to life, provoking strong emotions—both uplifting and heartbreaking. I'm eagerly anticipating the rest of what is sure to be an incredible series!

While I found this book somewhat straightforward, it still has its merits. I appreciated Ms. Kagan’s discussion on the complexities of taking a Jewish child to pose as an Aryan, which shows her depth as a writer. However, I did notice some repetition, and the language sometimes felt a bit simplistic. I believe new readers of Ms. Kagan’s work will find this book especially engaging. Her writing is infused with heart, consistently placing family at the center of her narratives.

I’m grateful to have received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

This was a strong start to the Million Miracles series, it had that historical element that I was looking for and thought worked well in this. The characters felt like they were supposed to in this universe and time-period. Roberta Kagan has a strong writing style and am excited to read more.

By the time the Nazis took over Poland, Pitor and Mila had already made a happy life for themselves. By marrying Pitor, Mila was denied contact with her family because her father had betrothed her to another man and would not give them his blessing. But the heart wants what the heart wants. They had a beautiful son and their own home and business. One day they were stripped of their livelihood and home and were forced to move into the Warsaw Ghetto. From that time on all they had left from their previous life was their love and the desire to survive. Sadly, things go from bad to worse.
Set during the worst of times, the author vividly brings to life believable characters as they face terrors they never could have imagined. In their voices readers can feel their fears and anger. How could this happen to them?
Heartfelt and moving, this work of historical fiction is well worth reading. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Book Whisperer through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

3.5 / 5.0 Stars

Author Roberta Kagan has crafted an engrossing story about Jewish life in Poland during the years leading up to and during World War II. It is an emotional roller-coaster in its delivery and it beautifully captures the traditions of and challenges faced by the Polish Jewish people - all through the eyes of a young Jewish couple.

Pitor Barr, a secular Jewish boy, sets his sites on a lovely, albeit, Orthodox Jewish girl, Mila Zielinsky, who is promised to another. Eventually, Pitor and Mila make a life together and face its challenges in their unified front. They are eventually relocated into the Warsaw Ghetto and face more challenges. These challenges, ultimately, lead to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising - the largest single revolt by Jews during World War II.

This story was well thought out and the writing is good. The reader's empathy is drawn upon as the young couple rise above each and every challenge they face. The scene settings are evocative and the use of Yiddish throughout the story contributes to it. The ending felt a bit rushed, even more so than the action may have called for. One can only hope that the cliffhangers at the end of the book are resolved in the next book in series, of which, this is the first.

(There were a couple of modest plot errors in the copy I received, which were hopefully corrected prior to publication.)


Publisher: ‎ Roberta Kagan Publishing
Publication Date: ‎ January 8, 2025
Number of Pages: 298
ISBN-13:‎ 978-1957207803

4.25 stars! I’m a huge Roberta fan and so excited to delve into another series by her! I can tell this first in the series is setting up the groundwork and backstory for another great story. I excited to follow these characters and be either heartbroken or joyful for a happy ending. Will definitely be reading the next in the series! Thanks NetGalley and the author for this read!

I’ll Never Cry Again by Roberta Kagan is yet another Holocaust novel. Like a romance novel wherein the reader knows how it will end, in Holocaust novels, the reader knows how it will end and it’s not good. I have overdosed on Holocaust novels and yet when I see one by Roberta Kagan I am once again drawn in. She is the ultimate storyteller, imbuing each character with personality and a compelling backstory. Thus she has done with this novel which is the story of Mila and Pitor, Jews who live in a small village in Poland. Pitor is a fallen-away Jew who has lived through the deaths of both parents, as well as his aunt and uncle with whom he and his father came to live after his mother’s death. He was fifteen and headed in the wrong direction in Warsaw. Too many bad influences. Early in his time in the village he saw a girl; he knew at that moment she was the other half of his soul, just as his mother had said. After several years of watching and discovering she was betrothed, he convinced her to meet him so he could talk her out of the marriage her Orthodox father had arranged for her and marry him instead.

These characters are such good people. Mila is a little flakey but Pitor loves her anyway and eventually they have a child: the spitting image of his father, blonde, curly hair and blue eyes. Life is good for them. Until one day when soldiers appear and load all of the Jews into trucks and take them to the Warsaw Ghetto where life changes. Life was hard there. They met other people who had been snatched out of their lives as well, but things got worse and worse. Pitor was a naturally positive person and always saw opportunities. Mila would follow him anywhere. This was a heart-breaking, while enlightening novel. But, know what you are getting into.

I was invited to read I’ll Never Cry Again by Book Whisperer. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BookWhisperer #RobertaKagan #IllNeverCryAgain

Another great read by this author and one I thoroughly enjoyed, yet again. Pitor Barr has lost so many people he has loved. His vow to himself is to never cry again. This is a very heartfelt read that is emotional to the core.

I read this book without stopping as I was so invested in it. And I'm glad I did as I just didn't want to put it down. I loved Pitor and Mia, loved their story, it pulled me right in and held on to me throughout. I loved it yet again.

Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Not my favourite by Kagan so far. A little too predictable for my liking but I expect Kagan to pull out a few twists in the next book of the series.

Roberta is an expert at writing books which focus on love, sacrifice and hope during the Holocaust, and I'll Never Cry Again certainly does that.

It touches on the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, and also the lebensborn programme which the Nazis set up to try and increase the aryan population. I find at times that I have to suspend my belief/knowledge of the period a little, as there are a few things that don't quite add up for me. Having said that, I still find myself fully invested in the story and desperately hoping for a happy outcome.

I loved Pitor and Mila, their love for each other, and their son, was palpable. I could feel it radiating from every page. And I can't even begin to imagine how awful it was for families like them. Their strength and courage really shone through.

This was a heart-wrenching love story of a young Jewish couple during the lead up to and the Nazi occupation of Poland during WWII. The characters capture and break your heart from start to finish. Roberta Kagan pulls you into the lives and small community of these characters as they struggle to follow their heart and overcome the challenges of this time.

I read this book in one day- I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book!

Book review for I'll NEver Cry Again by Roberta Kagan. I always enjoy and look forward to reading Kagen's books. This is the first book in a new series. Looking forward to next book to continue following Pitor and Mila.
I'll Never Cry Again by Roberta Kagan is a captivating start to a new series that promises to be as engaging as her previous works. The story introduces us to Pitor and Mila, whose lives are intricately woven with historical events and personal struggles. Kagan's ability to create vivid, relatable characters shines through, making readers eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.

The book's emotional depth and historical context add layers to the narrative, making it a compelling read for fans of historical fiction. If you enjoy Kagan's storytelling, you'll find yourself eagerly awaiting the continuation of Pitor and Mila's journey in the next book.

No matter how many books I read about the Holocaust, I’m always horrified all over again.
Roberta Kagan brings the humanity and love stories into the horrific, historical events.

“I’ll Never Cry Again” is her newest book, beginning with the “ shtetle” ( little town) in Poland and ending with the Warsaw ghetto uprising.
Pitor, a troubled young man, goes to Warsaw to pursue a job in a butcher shop. When he sees a beautiful girl, Mila, he knows immediately that she’s his beshert, his “meant to be” wife.
Over time, Mila chooses to leave her orthodox family and community to marry Pitor.
Life moves on, until the Nazis force all Jews into the Warsaw Ghetto.
Mika, Pitor and their son, Jakeup suffer through hunger, illness, overcrowding and fear.
The story ends with the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.

This was a very sad love story, based on actual historical events.
I look forward to the next sequel from Roberta Kagan.

A well written love story, which combines the hardships of being a jew in the times of Hitler. The heartache and suffering pulls on the heart strings and you feel their pain, suffering and loss. Life in the Warsaw Ghetto is soul destroying, but Pitor is determined to survive and protect his wife and son at all cost. Highly recommended, I received an ARC copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The one thing you do not read much about is how strong a split there was within the Jewish community. The Orthodox Jews were not very tolerant of the Non-Orthodox Jews.
Once relocated to the Ghetto the same religious scholars did not shrink back doing the German’s bidding to enhance their own circumstances. Not that it was of any help to them in the end.
The tittle might say: “I’ll never cry again” but that does not apply to the reader. At least not in my case. It is a very emotional and heart-rending story.
The story takes an unusual turn near the end. My only reason for giving it a four instead of a five is on account of ending with a cliffhanger. I feel that it could have been better. Yes, you can make up your own continuation and if a second book comes out, I will read it.

Set in Poland during WWII, A Polish/Jewish couple Pitor and Mila discover love and have a son. Shortly thereafter the Germans begin rounding up the Jews relegating them to the Warsaw ghetto. The story is split between the before and during of ghetto living. Much heartbreak, but many tender aspects as well. Highly recommended if you like historical fiction.

I'll Never Cry Again, by Roberta Kagan, is another Holocaust story, set in Poland. I am not sure exactly what turned me off, but I was bored with the two main characters, who seemed cardboard-like in their goodness and devotion. As with most Holocaust stories, the events of Hitler's invasion, the horrific treatment of the Jewish population, and the unrelenting brutality is numbing. Nonetheless, there are more gripping books on these subjects available, several of which were written by Kagan. Thank you to NetGalley and Roberta Kagan Publishing for the opportunity to read a digital ARC.

Here is a case where the title doesn't match because I couldn't stop crying!! Loved this story by Roberta Kagan. This one is based around the story of Mila and Pitor. It takes pace in the Warsaw Ghetto. It truly shows the horrors of war, but love always comes through. I can't wait to read more of this saga as it finished on a cliffhanger !
Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for a copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

They have to fight for their happiness and succeed, but the fight of their life is so unfair specially when their young son has been stolen.
This heartbreaking story is the start of a new series. I can’t wait to read the rest of it.

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