Soraya Lane has the incredible ability of being stories from WWII to life in ways that stay with you long after you’ve read the last page! I’m so grateful to Soraya and NetGalley for allowing me to read this story before it hit the shelves.

Amira and Fred were two “undesirables” living in Germany at the height of the regime when just looking at someone funny was dangerous. In order to keep her best friend safe from deportation, Giselle introduces Amira to Fred with the insistence that they could help each other by getting married. It wouldn’t be a love match but it would be one that lasts a lifetime after both Amira and Fred lose the loves of their lives to the war. Giselle has a bigger problem though, her husband is a high ranking officer and her mother is about as antisemitic as they come so she everything she does to help her friends is done quietly. Will Amira and Fred make it through the war? Will Giselle’s husband and mother betray her? You’ll just have to read it to find out!

This book, while fictional, humanizes WWII by making readers see things through the eyes of compassion. Resistance came in many forms and from many different types of people. It reminds you that not all Germans shared the ideologies of the regime and were willing to put themselves on the line to help others. I can’t recommend this story enough! It’s one of Soraya’s finest!!

Every WWII book I have read has shown me a different perspective, and this book was no exception. This is a beautiful story of what true love and loyalty can look like, even in the worst of times, and when it’s least expected. This was my first book by this author, and I will look for other by her!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advance reader copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

If you admire the books by Elie Wiesel, this would be an excellent book to add to your library.

If i had to describe this book in one word, I'd say: intense!! It's about friendship, loyalty, secrets, and bravery. I was so immersed in this story I thought about it throughout the day. When you're in the middle of Germany during the war where hatred, propaganda, and fear rule; this author takes you inside a friendship so strong they'd risk anything to save the other. They say love triumphs, but at times it comes at a cost.

Amira's mother was Jewish so after her death her father did everything possible to keep her safe. To keep her lineage a secret at great risk when he worked for the Nazis. The constant fear, the fact that they had to be on alert at all times, and knowing if she was discovered she'd end up in one of the concentration camps. Gisele was her best friend since childhood and felt differently than many of the Germans so you get a glimpse at how many households may have felt but were afraid to speak up. There's also a love story like I've never read before, actually there are several but you'll have to read this to find out. I cannot say anything more without spoilers.

It's a compelling story, one you will never forget. This author does her research and in reading her note at the end of the book will tell you just how this story came about. I'm grateful to Netgalley for offering me an ARC. I finished this book on Christmas morning before anyone was awake and I sat there thinking of the pure message this story brings: to be grateful for what you have because at any moment it can change. Outstanding read, comes with my highest recommendation if you're apt to learn more about WWII.

Amira is thoughtful and her friendship with Gisele is endearing. However, I didn't finish the book because I couldn't really bond with the characters. This is my first book by the author; the writing is generally good, but it wasn't engaging enough for me. That said, I must admit that I'm a very impatient reader, so maybe it's just me. Thank you for the copy—sorry it didn't work for me.

5 easy stars from me!

Soraya Lane is a must-read author for me, and she never disappoints. I read this book in one sitting - I just couldn't put it down.
Once again, Soraya has taken a topic and delivered a heartbreaking, informative, though-provoking, and sensitively written novel about the treatment of 'undesirables' in Nazi Germany. I always learn so much through Soraya's stories and I end up googling events that I previously hadn't known about, or hadn't really looked into. Soraya brings to life the fear and horrors of the time, while also focusing on the good people who put themselves in danger, sacrificing so much trying to save themselves and others from the Nazi regime.
A must-read for lovers of historical WWII fiction or anyone who is new to the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Soraya Lane for an ARC for review. All opinions are my own, and my review is voluntary.

My favorite book of 2025! I could not put this book down. This story is about two girls and a secret. Should one tell? Should one not?

There were aspects of this book that didn't work for me. It must be difficult to come up with new plots and storylines for WWII fiction, as most have been often repeated over and over again, especially in recent years. However I felt that in this book, the true story was not Fred and Amira's, but Gisele's. How she kept Amira's secret and the anguish of being loyal to her husband and her family - and to her best, half-Jewish friend.

Amira and Fred's escape was truly harrowing, but I still felt Gisele's and her husband Han's part in everything would have been much more intriguing to explore. However there could be no happy ending in that story.

En bref, je savais que le contexte allait être difficile et je ne me suis pas trompée même si la gentillesse, le grand cœur et la bonté des personnages atténues un peu les drames qui se jouent devant nos yeux. J'ai adoré Amira et Gisele, elles ne baissent pas les bras, cherchent des solutions, Gisele est une amie comme il y a peu et elles vont toutes les deux traverser des tempêtes. J'ai aimé les rencontres, les sentiments, ce qui nous fait réfléchir, surtout sur la fin et je n'avais pas vu venir certains rebondissements qui m'ont scotchés. Le final est intense et nous permet de clore cette aventure avec des larmes plein les yeux mais aussi de l'espoir dans le cœur.

Wow. Wow A great novel. As Amira grows up as a half Jewess she has to deal with the war and the expansion of the Nazis especially their attitude towards Jews and Homosexuality. There is never a straightforward time as different situations implode. A must read if you like WW2 genre. Thanks to Soraya and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

This is a read that left me both uplifted and hopeful and yet broken and full of every emotion. It is such a heartwarming read that left me really rooting for some of the characters and then at other times left me with tears running down my face. I will be thinking of this one for ages

My rating:

Plot: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction

Review:

This is a beautifully written story showing resilience, hope and love in a time of pain, despair and heartbreak. The plot flows well and the scenes are described in vivid details this made the story come a life. The book tells the WWII story from inside Germany and it shows that no matter where you go there are always brave people that are willing to risk everything to save others, thought provoking at times, as it also shines a light on the question what are people willing to do in order to survive The characters are complex; their actions are explained in great detail, this gave them a realistic feel. Well researched and based on some non fictional characters and events.

Overall:

A well written story that grips you from the start, heartbreaking at times with interesting and realistic characters I highly recommend reading it.

Review copy provided through Netgalley at no cost to me.

The Pianist's Wife brought to light the additional dangers of gay men during WWII in Nazi Germany. The story centered around two close friends who shared a secret and how that secret affected their lives and the lives of those they loved. I was so anxious to turn each page but, in a way, sad to get to the end. I would love to know more about Gisele and her children and how they moved forward.

This is my fourth book by Soraya Lane, and I look forward to reading more.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Pianist’s Wife has been a perfectly timed book for me - at the time of writing this review, this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day earlier this week marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Buchenwald is the concentration camp featured in The Pianist’s Wife and in this story we discover more of the atrocities forced upon the Jewish population (and other groups) by the Nazis, both inside and outside the camps.

This is an emotional and compelling story of sacrifice and the truest of friendships; of love and survival after enduring pain that no one should have to experience. The Pianist’s Wife is a beautifully crafted reminder that life is indeed a gift.

Another powerful book from Soraya M. Lane that I highly recommend. Do read the author’s notes at the end of the book where she explains some of her research and the factual aspects weaved into her fictional characters’ experiences.

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the publisher, Lake Union Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Soraya M. Lane delivers another gripping historical novel with *The Pianist’s Wife*, a story of courage, survival, and unexpected love set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II. Amira, a young woman hiding a dangerous secret in Nazi-occupied Germany, finds herself in an increasingly perilous situation. With the help of her friend Gisele, she evades immediate threats, but when danger closes in, a sudden marriage to a stranger, Fred, throws her life into even more uncertainty. As both Amira and Fred struggle to protect their hidden truths, their fates become intertwined in ways they never expected.

Lane masterfully captures the tension and fear of wartime, weaving a narrative that keeps readers on edge. Amira’s resilience and determination make her a compelling protagonist, and the novel’s exploration of unexpected heroes in history adds depth to its emotional impact. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate Lane’s meticulous research and storytelling prowess.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley for the ARC—this novel is a must-read for those who love stories of bravery and hope in the face of darkness.

I really enjoyed reading Soraya Lanes latest book, The Pianist’s Wife. I loved the friendship between Giselle and Amira and how it spanned the years and through unimaginable trials. Giselle keeps Amira’s secret through thick and thin until she tells it to save her friend. When Amira has lost so much, she marries Fred, who also has a secret. The loyalty and perseverance demonstrated in this book was remarkable, but I found myself really torn over my feelings about Hans and Maxi, who were serving with the Nazis. I think this was a unique take on WWII and how friendships and loyalty can exist across and in spite of different experiences.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own. Publication date: February 4, 2025

Wow! I just loved this story! I love all of Soraya’s books and this was no exception! I could hardly put it down! So well researched and the story just flowed wonderfully! Highly highly recommend!

*Thank you to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for providing me with a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. *

Heartbreaking, heartwarming, and memorable are only a few words that describe this book. This was one of the most beautifully written books I'd read this year.

I discovered Soraya M. Lane in 2019 and have read a few of her books since. I loved them all. I was excited when she announced that she was writing a new book. I loved so many aspects of this book, especially the story, which moved me in many ways. Despite its content, The Pianist's Wife is a book that will captivate you from start to finish. I was engrossed in Amira’s story when I picked up the book, and I felt myself being transformed into her world through the book. I was both excited and scared about what Amira would face next. I had no idea what to expect while reading this novel, and just when I thought I couldn't be more shocked, another unexpected twist changed everything.

You couldn't help but love Amira. I adored her from the beginning. She may not have felt it, but she was strong. Amira endured many hardships simply because of who her mother was, yet she refused to give up. I was rooting for her every step of the way. . Part of me didn't want her story to end, primarily because I was frightened of how it would end. I wasn't initially sure about Amira and Fred; especially given why they married. It didn't take long for me to change my mind; their bond revealed how much they cared for one another.

Sometimes, the book was difficult to read, and I had to take a break to reflect. I've read a few books set during WWII; it's one of my favorite subjects to read about, but The Pianist's Wife affected me the most. I loved Amira and Gisele's friendship; it was one of my favorite parts of the story. Gisele took great measures to preserve her friend's secret, showing the significance of true friendship. I could see how much research went into this book and learned a lot while reading it. I suggest this to anyone who loves historical fiction. I would rate it higher than 5 stars. It's one of my favorite reads this year.

THE PIANIST’S WIFE is the latest outstanding historical novel from Soraya M. Lane. I have loved every book I’ve read by this author and this one is no exception. It is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, love and loyalty that will stay on my mind for a long time to come. Set in Berlin, Germany in 1944, we see the lengths regular people will go to protect those they love even in the face of unthinkable danger. Amira and Gisele have been friends since they were children, but Amira share a secret that could put both their lives in peril. Gisele’s friend, Fred, is a famous pianist, but also harbors an equally devasting secret. To protect both her friends, Gisele makes a daring suggestion – Amira and Fred should marry, giving them the cover they each need to survive. Two strangers with an unconventional arrangement grow into a profound and enduring love that lasts a lifetime despite the unimaginable choices they are forced to make. This is a beautifully-written and haunting story that shows the remarkable courage and resilience of people living through the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Some parts of this meticulously-researched book were difficult, even painful, to read, but the love between the characters shines through on every page. I highly recommend this compelling book and thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Berlin, 1944: Amira and Gisele have been best friends since they were children, and now Gisele is the only person who knows Amira’s secret. A secret that puts her and everyone she loves in unimaginable danger amid the daily horror and violence of Nazi Germany. With the threat of exposure drawing closer, Gisele’s suggestion that Amira marries her friend Fred, a famous pianist, might just be the lifeline she needs to keep them both safe. Because Fred has secrets too.

As the two strangers promise to look after each other, a profound love develops. But while the war rages on, Amira, Fred and Gisele are soon faced with terrible choices that will test their loyalty—and their courage—to the ultimate limits. How far will they go to keep each other alive?

This book is a work of art. Beautiful premise, engaging prose, well-crafted characters. This will pull at your heartstrings. Fantastic read! 6⭐ out of 5. 🙂

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

This was the best book I’ve read on Netgalley in a long time! I love historical fiction and WWII especially. This book had a perspective that I hadn’t read from before - the main character is half Jewish, living in Germany, and how she experiences the war. It was such a unique and different story, and I couldn’t put it down. It was extremely well-written and compelling, and I will absolutely be seeking out more of the writer’s work in the future. A must read for anyone who is interested in WWII and is looking for something a little different than the usual/popular types of stories that are often told!