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The Officer and the Spy
Under the Cretan sun, in the summer of 1936, two young people fall in love…
Eleni has been coming to Crete her entire life, swapping her English home for cherished sun-baked summers with her grandfather in his idyllic shoreside villa. When she arrives in 1936, she believes the long, hot weeks ahead will be no different to so many that have gone before.
But someone else is visiting the island that year too: a young German man called Otto. And so begins a summer of innocence lost, and love discovered; one that is finite, but not the end.
When, in 1941, the island falls to a Nazi invasion, Eleni and Otto meet there once more. But this time Eleni has returned to fight for her home, and Otto to occupy it. They are enemies, and their love is not only treacherous, but also dangerous. But will it destroy them, or prove strong enough to overcome the ravages of war?
An epic tale of secrets, love, loyalty, family and how far you’d go to keep those you love safe, The Officer and The Spy is an exquisite and deeply moving love letter to Crete – one that will move every reader to tears.
Eleni has been coming to Crete her entire life, swapping her English home for cherished sun-baked summers with her grandfather in his idyllic shoreside villa. When she arrives in 1936, she believes the long, hot weeks ahead will be no different to so many that have gone before.
But someone else is visiting the island that year too: a young German man called Otto. And so begins a summer of innocence lost, and love discovered; one that is finite, but not the end.
When, in 1941, the island falls to a Nazi invasion, Eleni and Otto meet there once more. But this time Eleni has returned to fight for her home, and Otto to occupy it. They are enemies, and their love is not only treacherous, but also dangerous. But will it destroy them, or prove strong enough to overcome the ravages of war?
An epic tale of secrets, love, loyalty, family and how far you’d go to keep those you love safe, The Officer and The Spy is an exquisite and deeply moving love letter to Crete – one that will move every reader to tears.
480 pages, Paperback
Published May 16, 2023
24 people are currently reading
3150 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Ashcroft
12 books397 followersI am an author of both historical fiction under the name of Jenny Ashcroft, and high concept novels under the pseudonym Jennifer Ross. Having spent many years living, working and exploring in Australia and Asia, I now split my time between Australia and the UK. I have a degree from Oxford University in history, and have always been fascinated by the past—in particular the way that extraordinary events can transform the lives of normal people. My newest novel, Every Lifetime After, will publish in January 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 21, 2023
4.5 very strong stars! The Officer and the Spy was the second book that I had read by Jenny Ashcroft and it was every bit as good as I had hoped it would be. Jenny Ashcroft once again proved what a master storyteller she is. Her research for this book was impeccable. She was able to provide accurate information about Crete’s history before, during and after World War II. To the horror of the world, the Nazis managed to capture and ultimately occupy Crete in 1941. The Officer and the Spy was inspired by the stories and experiences of her very own family. The timeline alternated between 1936, before the war, 1941, the battle of Crete and the Nazi invasion and 1974 when a witness to the atrocities that occurred in Crete was interviewed and the transcripts were shared.
In the summer of 1936, Eleni Adams traveled to Crete to spend her nineteenth summer with her beloved papou (grandfather) Yorgos. This was the first time her father, a naval captain, had allowed her to travel to Crete without a chaperone. Eleni’s mother, her papou’s daughter, had died long ago. It had just been Eleni and her father for a very long time. Eleni had spent every summer of her young life on the island of Crete in Chania with her grandfather. During the year, Eleni and her father lived in the suburb of Gosport in Portsmouth. Father and daughter’s relationship was a bit strained and Eleni’s father was away for extended periods of time due to his position in the Navy. Eleni was glad to be back at her papou’s villa situated between Chania and Souda, overlooking the sea.
The summer of 1936 was quite different from any other summer Eleni had ever spent in Chania. It started the first evening that she had arrived. Eleni had decided to go for a swim in the sea. As she floated on the water, Eleni heard a name being called out in a German accent, Otto, Otto Linder. The villa next door to her grandfather’s, owned by Nikos Kalantis, had been let out to a German family. There in the water, not 20 feet away from her, Eleni and Otto had their first glimpses of one another.
During that summer, Germans had been sent to Greece to canvas its surroundings. Lottie’s father, the girl who came looking for Otto that first night Eleni arrived, was one of them. Otto’s mother and father were not in favor of much of what the Nazi’s stood for and believed. However, they needed to stay on the good side of Lotte’s father. Otto’s mother, once a brilliant musician, was suffering from multiple sclerosis and had to hide her advanced symptoms from the Nazi authorities. His sister, Krista also had early signs of the disease. Lotte’s father was a powerful man in the Nazi Party and could help protect both Otto’s mother and sister. The other guest that Otto’s family had brought with them that summer was Marianne, a Jewish young woman who was a music student of his mother’s. Marianne was a cello protege. Her command of the music she played was breathtaking. Her only fault was that she had been born Jewish during the rise of the Nazi party in Germany.
Neither Eleni nor Otto could stop thinking about one another. From that first moment Eleni and Otto met something magical occurred. The attraction they felt for each other was undeniable. Both Eleni and Otto slowly and innocently fell hopelessly in love with each other. They had managed to keep their relationship a secret from both their families. They both felt safe and so comfortable with each other. The summer passed way too quickly. Their parting at the end of the summer was the hardest and most painful thing for both of them. They kept in touch through letters and even managed to meet in Paris for a magical reunion. Then something occurred and Eleni severed all ties with Otto.
In 1940, Eleni was living and working in London. She had moved out of her father’s home. The SOE had had their eye on Eleni for a while. They wanted to recruit her and train her to go to Greece. It was just a matter of time before the Nazis would put their sights on occupying Greece. Eleni had Greek roots and spoke not only Greek but German as well. After undergoing vigorous training, Eleni was recruited to Heraklion. Eleni witnessed first hand the invasion of Crete. Unbeknownst to Eleni, Otto was also stationed on Crete. This time they were on opposing sides, though. Otto was a Nazi officer and Eleni was working for the Allied Forces as a spy. When they finally met once again they could not deny that they both still loved one another. Did their love have a chance of survival? Could they rekindle what they once had? What had happened all those years ago that made Eleni sever all ties with Otto?
Otto, although commissioned as a Nazi Officer, refused to comply with every order the Nazis issued. He described himself as “drowning “ in his current position as a Nazi officer. Otto detested what the Nazis stood for and what they were doing. For his family’s sake, he did what he had to do to be a good soldier and not raise unwanted suspicions, up to a point. I am sure there were some Nazi soldiers that felt ashamed and disgusted by what the Nazis were doing. Unfortunately, they were few and far between. I admired Otto for standing up for what he believed in and that he did not give in to every order the Nazis gave. Eleni was a strong female protagonist. She displayed courage, heroism, passion and loyalty. Eleni was meant to represent the many brave female heroes of Greece in their fight to protect Crete and win it back from the Nazis. She stood among the many determined resistance fighters on Crete that fought to defend Crete. The Officer and the Spy was about family, love, passion, secrets, commitment, friendship and determination. I really enjoyed reading The Officer and the Spy by Jenny Ashcroft and highly recommend it.
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers HQ for allowing me to read The Officer and the Spy by Jenny Ashcroft through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In the summer of 1936, Eleni Adams traveled to Crete to spend her nineteenth summer with her beloved papou (grandfather) Yorgos. This was the first time her father, a naval captain, had allowed her to travel to Crete without a chaperone. Eleni’s mother, her papou’s daughter, had died long ago. It had just been Eleni and her father for a very long time. Eleni had spent every summer of her young life on the island of Crete in Chania with her grandfather. During the year, Eleni and her father lived in the suburb of Gosport in Portsmouth. Father and daughter’s relationship was a bit strained and Eleni’s father was away for extended periods of time due to his position in the Navy. Eleni was glad to be back at her papou’s villa situated between Chania and Souda, overlooking the sea.
The summer of 1936 was quite different from any other summer Eleni had ever spent in Chania. It started the first evening that she had arrived. Eleni had decided to go for a swim in the sea. As she floated on the water, Eleni heard a name being called out in a German accent, Otto, Otto Linder. The villa next door to her grandfather’s, owned by Nikos Kalantis, had been let out to a German family. There in the water, not 20 feet away from her, Eleni and Otto had their first glimpses of one another.
During that summer, Germans had been sent to Greece to canvas its surroundings. Lottie’s father, the girl who came looking for Otto that first night Eleni arrived, was one of them. Otto’s mother and father were not in favor of much of what the Nazi’s stood for and believed. However, they needed to stay on the good side of Lotte’s father. Otto’s mother, once a brilliant musician, was suffering from multiple sclerosis and had to hide her advanced symptoms from the Nazi authorities. His sister, Krista also had early signs of the disease. Lotte’s father was a powerful man in the Nazi Party and could help protect both Otto’s mother and sister. The other guest that Otto’s family had brought with them that summer was Marianne, a Jewish young woman who was a music student of his mother’s. Marianne was a cello protege. Her command of the music she played was breathtaking. Her only fault was that she had been born Jewish during the rise of the Nazi party in Germany.
Neither Eleni nor Otto could stop thinking about one another. From that first moment Eleni and Otto met something magical occurred. The attraction they felt for each other was undeniable. Both Eleni and Otto slowly and innocently fell hopelessly in love with each other. They had managed to keep their relationship a secret from both their families. They both felt safe and so comfortable with each other. The summer passed way too quickly. Their parting at the end of the summer was the hardest and most painful thing for both of them. They kept in touch through letters and even managed to meet in Paris for a magical reunion. Then something occurred and Eleni severed all ties with Otto.
In 1940, Eleni was living and working in London. She had moved out of her father’s home. The SOE had had their eye on Eleni for a while. They wanted to recruit her and train her to go to Greece. It was just a matter of time before the Nazis would put their sights on occupying Greece. Eleni had Greek roots and spoke not only Greek but German as well. After undergoing vigorous training, Eleni was recruited to Heraklion. Eleni witnessed first hand the invasion of Crete. Unbeknownst to Eleni, Otto was also stationed on Crete. This time they were on opposing sides, though. Otto was a Nazi officer and Eleni was working for the Allied Forces as a spy. When they finally met once again they could not deny that they both still loved one another. Did their love have a chance of survival? Could they rekindle what they once had? What had happened all those years ago that made Eleni sever all ties with Otto?
Otto, although commissioned as a Nazi Officer, refused to comply with every order the Nazis issued. He described himself as “drowning “ in his current position as a Nazi officer. Otto detested what the Nazis stood for and what they were doing. For his family’s sake, he did what he had to do to be a good soldier and not raise unwanted suspicions, up to a point. I am sure there were some Nazi soldiers that felt ashamed and disgusted by what the Nazis were doing. Unfortunately, they were few and far between. I admired Otto for standing up for what he believed in and that he did not give in to every order the Nazis gave. Eleni was a strong female protagonist. She displayed courage, heroism, passion and loyalty. Eleni was meant to represent the many brave female heroes of Greece in their fight to protect Crete and win it back from the Nazis. She stood among the many determined resistance fighters on Crete that fought to defend Crete. The Officer and the Spy was about family, love, passion, secrets, commitment, friendship and determination. I really enjoyed reading The Officer and the Spy by Jenny Ashcroft and highly recommend it.
Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers HQ for allowing me to read The Officer and the Spy by Jenny Ashcroft through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 28, 2023
Loved it! I’ve become a fan of Jenny Ashcroft’s elegant writing & love stories. I appreciate how she brings to mind a long-time favorite author from when I was young, Mary Stewart.
May 12, 2023
The Officer and the Spy is a novel of many complexities. Jenny Ashcroft has created a love story, set within the historical fiction of World War II and the German invasion and occupation of Crete. As is the case with all of Ashcroft’s historical fiction, the history takes center stage. The research is thorough and meticulous. The obligation of historical fiction is not to revise history but to tell a story within that history. This is what Ashcroft does.
Ashcroft tells a story of deep and enduring love. Elani and Otto fall in love during a perfect summer, but life is filled with so many complexities in the midst of war. Readers are reminded that not every German was a Nazi. Some German soldiers were good men, capable of compassion and love. The Officer and the Spy reminds readers of the horrors of war and the injustice of life. This is a novel that is happy and sad.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with this ARC to read and review. I loved this novel and highly recommend it. Thank you also to NetGalley for introducing me to Ashcroft.
Ashcroft tells a story of deep and enduring love. Elani and Otto fall in love during a perfect summer, but life is filled with so many complexities in the midst of war. Readers are reminded that not every German was a Nazi. Some German soldiers were good men, capable of compassion and love. The Officer and the Spy reminds readers of the horrors of war and the injustice of life. This is a novel that is happy and sad.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with this ARC to read and review. I loved this novel and highly recommend it. Thank you also to NetGalley for introducing me to Ashcroft.
June 24, 2024
Stunning. Powerful. Amazing. Historical fiction at its best. Love the story and how much historical detail the author includes about WWII in Crete. A must-read! You know it's a 5 star read when you're crying at the end. One of my favorites of the year.
July 27, 2023
I just love a good book of love and war and this fit perfectly! Eleni and Otto were great characters who kept you reading with a prayer for a happy solution to their struggles. Very enjoyed!
June 26, 2023
Loved the setting as I recently spent time there. This was an interesting take on the german side of the war. I liked the story but it had a few spots where there should have been a tighter conclusion. It seemed to end quickly.
April 26, 2023
4.25 - With a unique setting, great characters, romance, and let's face it — a gorgeous cover, The Officer and the Spy was a treat to read.
During her annual trip to Crete, Eleni meets Otto, a German man who's also visiting the island. So begins a summer romance. Come 1941, the young lovers reunite but are turned now enemies due to the war. Will love prevail, will the effects of war reach them, too?
The contrast between past and 'present' (in this case, interview transcripts from 1974) is fantastic and the book is well organized. Eleni and Otto have a nice chemistry. Their romance flows well with the more action-packed portions of the book. I also enjoyed the moral exploration of some of the realities of war. My only quip is that it runs long with some scenes feeling dragged out much longer than they needed to be. Still, I enjoyed the book very much.
A huge thanks to Harper360 for sending me a free ARC of the book to read and review!
During her annual trip to Crete, Eleni meets Otto, a German man who's also visiting the island. So begins a summer romance. Come 1941, the young lovers reunite but are turned now enemies due to the war. Will love prevail, will the effects of war reach them, too?
The contrast between past and 'present' (in this case, interview transcripts from 1974) is fantastic and the book is well organized. Eleni and Otto have a nice chemistry. Their romance flows well with the more action-packed portions of the book. I also enjoyed the moral exploration of some of the realities of war. My only quip is that it runs long with some scenes feeling dragged out much longer than they needed to be. Still, I enjoyed the book very much.
A huge thanks to Harper360 for sending me a free ARC of the book to read and review!
July 11, 2023
*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
3.5 stars
I am torn on how to rate this book, and so I'm settling for an in-between rating. It's a compelling story, and I was interested in the characters and their lives. I appreciated that it made a point of showing that not everyone who fights for their country agrees with those in charge or what they're being told to do. This book gives a glimpse into how and why good people struggle in those situations. Life is complex, and this book definitely illustrates the importance of compassion.
The main portion of the book spans about seven years. It is interspersed with sections from a 1974 interview with someone we know as subject #17 until the end, and then an epilogue once those interviews conclude, also in 1974. I have to admit that my assumption of #17's identity throughout most of the book was incorrect, and now I want to go back and look over those interview segments again.
Eleni (18 at the start) and Otto (21 at the start) are both likable, and I wanted them to be happy. Each of them was inherently good--kind, thoughtful, intelligent, hopeful, compassionate. It saddened me that Otto had to fulfill his national service in Nazi Germany in order to protect his family, despite his own personal feelings. Some other characters I really liked were Yorgos, Ben, and Krista.
My biggest complaint with this book, and the main reason I didn't give it 4 stars, was the author's writing style. It was very distracting to the story itself and frequently impeded my enjoyment. Her sentences tend to run on and on . . . and on. Then sometimes, there will be a couple of short sentence fragments (each given their own paragraph), ask if in attempt to break things up. But overall, it became very tedious to read. I'll give you an example of three consecutive sentence, in word count and punctuation only:
139 words: ,,,,,,,(,,),(,),,,,,,,,(,,),.
81 words: ,,,,,,(),(),,,.
58 words: ,,,(,),,,,,.
This was a constant occurrence throughout the book rather than something it appears was done accidentally here and there, which makes me believe it's just how this author writes. And I didn't like it. Thus, 1/2 a star off.
How it ends:
Note: Some mild language. Some very mild off-page sex scenes.
3.5 stars
I am torn on how to rate this book, and so I'm settling for an in-between rating. It's a compelling story, and I was interested in the characters and their lives. I appreciated that it made a point of showing that not everyone who fights for their country agrees with those in charge or what they're being told to do. This book gives a glimpse into how and why good people struggle in those situations. Life is complex, and this book definitely illustrates the importance of compassion.
The main portion of the book spans about seven years. It is interspersed with sections from a 1974 interview with someone we know as subject #17 until the end, and then an epilogue once those interviews conclude, also in 1974. I have to admit that my assumption of #17's identity throughout most of the book was incorrect, and now I want to go back and look over those interview segments again.
Eleni (18 at the start) and Otto (21 at the start) are both likable, and I wanted them to be happy. Each of them was inherently good--kind, thoughtful, intelligent, hopeful, compassionate. It saddened me that Otto had to fulfill his national service in Nazi Germany in order to protect his family, despite his own personal feelings. Some other characters I really liked were Yorgos, Ben, and Krista.
My biggest complaint with this book, and the main reason I didn't give it 4 stars, was the author's writing style. It was very distracting to the story itself and frequently impeded my enjoyment. Her sentences tend to run on and on . . . and on. Then sometimes, there will be a couple of short sentence fragments (each given their own paragraph), ask if in attempt to break things up. But overall, it became very tedious to read. I'll give you an example of three consecutive sentence, in word count and punctuation only:
139 words: ,,,,,,,(,,),(,),,,,,,,,(,,),.
81 words: ,,,,,,(),(),,,.
58 words: ,,,(,),,,,,.
This was a constant occurrence throughout the book rather than something it appears was done accidentally here and there, which makes me believe it's just how this author writes. And I didn't like it. Thus, 1/2 a star off.
How it ends:
Note: Some mild language. Some very mild off-page sex scenes.
May 3, 2023
If you only read one historical fiction novel this year; The officer and the Spy should be that book. I didn't want to put it down. I had to force myself to temporarily put it down to adult. I can't begin to say how badly I wanted to hide in a corner with an endless cup of coffee while I read all 480 pages. There is so much in this story that needs to absorb and remember. I learned so much about the horrors of World War 2 on the Island of Crete. I lost count of how many times I cried.
The Officer and the Spy is an emotional story. Eleni returns to Crete each year to visit her grandfather. In 1936, when Germany was actively spreading their influence, she meets Otto Linder, a German on vacation with his family. He was the boy next-door that she couldn't forget even after he broke her heart. When war comes to England the boy she loves becomes the enemy.
Eleni is living in London in 1940, working for the government. She has caught the eye of the SOE. Her experience and the languages she speaks soon has returning to Crete, but not returning her family in Chania, the place she considers home. No one is to know she is on Crete working in Heraklion..
As Crete begins to fall to the Germans she knows what she must do. Eleni is soon considered a rogue agent but that won't stop her from returning home . Her bravery had me in awe. Her dedication to the Cretans left me speechless. Eleni risks everything to help the resistance. Her antics had me on the edge of my seat. The atrocities had my stomach aching. No matter how challenging the story became to read, I couldn't put it down. I needed to know everything that happened to the characters.
One of those characters is Otto. He is back in Chania, now as a member of the occupying force. Eleni and Otto are enemies but they can't stay apart. Their romance was a highlight during a time of bleakness. Their love was the bandaid to ease the pain while reading all the horrors the Cretans suffered. They risked everything to be together. They will risk everything for a better tomorrow.
Jenny Ashcroft blew my mind. I loved the way she set up the story. I can honestly say I expected a different ending. She had me fooled. She had me so invested in the story that I devoured every page. She has written a very believable story. I became completely invested in some of the characters and was thrilled to discover what happened to them after the war.
The Officer and the Spy is an emotional story. Eleni returns to Crete each year to visit her grandfather. In 1936, when Germany was actively spreading their influence, she meets Otto Linder, a German on vacation with his family. He was the boy next-door that she couldn't forget even after he broke her heart. When war comes to England the boy she loves becomes the enemy.
Eleni is living in London in 1940, working for the government. She has caught the eye of the SOE. Her experience and the languages she speaks soon has returning to Crete, but not returning her family in Chania, the place she considers home. No one is to know she is on Crete working in Heraklion..
As Crete begins to fall to the Germans she knows what she must do. Eleni is soon considered a rogue agent but that won't stop her from returning home . Her bravery had me in awe. Her dedication to the Cretans left me speechless. Eleni risks everything to help the resistance. Her antics had me on the edge of my seat. The atrocities had my stomach aching. No matter how challenging the story became to read, I couldn't put it down. I needed to know everything that happened to the characters.
One of those characters is Otto. He is back in Chania, now as a member of the occupying force. Eleni and Otto are enemies but they can't stay apart. Their romance was a highlight during a time of bleakness. Their love was the bandaid to ease the pain while reading all the horrors the Cretans suffered. They risked everything to be together. They will risk everything for a better tomorrow.
Jenny Ashcroft blew my mind. I loved the way she set up the story. I can honestly say I expected a different ending. She had me fooled. She had me so invested in the story that I devoured every page. She has written a very believable story. I became completely invested in some of the characters and was thrilled to discover what happened to them after the war.
October 9, 2025
Me gustó mucho leer sobre segunda guerra mundial desde un punto geográfico que no suele ser el centro de estas historias. El personaje de Eleni lo guardaré en mí memoria por años, me gustó toda su historia con Otto. Son dos personajes bien desarrollados que a mitad de libro estás, dada la temática del libro, temiendo por su destino.
Spoilers coming....
Y el final es lo único que no me parece bueno del libro, siento que no era necesario que uno de los personajes principales tuviera ese final, de hecho sus decisiones no tienen sentido para mí. Esta es la razón para que le ponga 4 estrellas, el final me pareció apresurado y al atar cabos, me pareció que la autora buscaba un final trágico dado el tipo de libro que escribía. Lo sentí injusto con sus propios personajes. Igual, quiero visitar la isla de Creta sólo por ver con mis ojos cosas descritas en este libro.
Spoilers coming....
Y el final es lo único que no me parece bueno del libro, siento que no era necesario que uno de los personajes principales tuviera ese final, de hecho sus decisiones no tienen sentido para mí. Esta es la razón para que le ponga 4 estrellas, el final me pareció apresurado y al atar cabos, me pareció que la autora buscaba un final trágico dado el tipo de libro que escribía. Lo sentí injusto con sus propios personajes. Igual, quiero visitar la isla de Creta sólo por ver con mis ojos cosas descritas en este libro.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2025
I loved this historical fiction book set in Greece in the time of World War II. The love story between Otto and Eleni is amazing. Her mother was Greek but died young and she spent her summers in Greece with her grandfather. She meets a German man on vacation with his family but keeps their relationship secret. He breaks her heart and agrees to pose as a spy during WWII. She can speak Greek and also studied German in school so in her job as a typist she is able to hear what the Germans are planning and pass along this information. Things get complicated when she discovers Otto is there is Crete.
I learned a lot about the war in Greece and the German occupation of Crete. This was heartfelt story of love and war.
I learned a lot about the war in Greece and the German occupation of Crete. This was heartfelt story of love and war.
June 11, 2023
The last 10% of this historical fiction set in WWII Greece wrecked me. I was clutching my chest and sobbing my eyes out while also yelling “NOOOOOO!!!!” into the abyss. I could tell from the very beginning Jenny Ashcroft had personal experience with Greece and had researched exactly how Crete had been impacted by German invasion. Her descriptions made it effortless to imagine myself there on the beach before the destruction of war. In the end, I was so proud of the decisions of the main characters, but also absolutely devastated by them.
June 17, 2023
What a fantastic story! This was super hard to put down, and I enjoyed each and every page. The story of Eleni and Otto was fascinating. Otto, a young German officer, does not hold to everything that his country is doing - and you can see the struggle that he is going through. Eleni exudes a quiet strength, and when the two come together, WOW!
This was a great read and one that you are going to truly enjoy!
Thank you to HarperCollins for a copy of this book to read and review.
This was a great read and one that you are going to truly enjoy!
Thank you to HarperCollins for a copy of this book to read and review.
May 23, 2023
I received a free copy of this novel from Goodreads. I had a hard time getting into this novel at first but stuck with it and I'm glad I did, It is set during WWII and tells the story of two young people torn between their love and the loyalty to their country. Not many war books are centered in Greece so it was quite interesting to read about that aspect of the book.
January 17, 2025
All hope for a happy ending crushed when #17 identity was revealed. And yes, technically there was still happiness found after all the pain. But it's not fair, and war is heartbreaking and so was this book.
Maverick stops in the room to check on me:
"You finished it?
I can tell. You look different.
I can see you're still processing it"
Maverick stops in the room to check on me:
"You finished it?
I can tell. You look different.
I can see you're still processing it"
June 10, 2023
For me the value in this book was the setting of Crete (Greece), I am not sure I have read any WWII books set in Greece so for that is was unique and different. I also really liked the role of the interview in the story. I look forward to this author’s next book.
July 9, 2023
A great novel about forbidden love and war set in Crete in WW2. The story will hold your attention and provides plenty of suspense and action. I found it hard to put this book down! Overall, a great read for me.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 8, 2024
So sad to read how Crete and likely other places in the world suffered during the WWII horror. Such a tragedy that Hitler and Germany did such damage to the world at that time. Quite a love story that was a little unbelievable but made it interesting.
Read
April 19, 2023This was a beautiful story with a sweeping romance and stunning story with love, loyalty and truths. I felt my heart break as I read each page and fell in love with these characters.
June 4, 2023
The Dreyfus affair itself is fascinating but a podcast about it taught me more and compelled me more than this book.
July 13, 2023
I loved this book! A love story, a tale of adventure, a look at WWII history, it kept me in its spell through. I highly recommend it and I’ll have to read more from this author.
September 30, 2023
This is The Echoes of Love under a different title. Brilliant read but don’t be fooled into buying it again thinking it is a different story.
February 19, 2024
Brilliant writing using the interview with subject #17.
July 21, 2024
Rivitting! The courage exhibited by the primary characters was exemplary as members of the Resistance movement during WW II. It also showed the humanistic character on both sides.
Read
November 2, 2024DNF
April 13, 2025
Well written, interesting plot, great characters - but could’ve been pared down a bit. A couple of good plot twists.
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