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The Secret Letter: Gripping and heartbreaking WW2 historical fiction Kindle Edition


Incredibly heart-wrenching... it’s just mind-blowing... I adored this book from start to finish... If I could give it 10 stars, I would!Confessions of a Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Germany, 1939. A tumbledown farmhouse, on the outskirts of a close-knit village in the heart of the rolling hills of Bavaria. A once happy family home torn apart by Nazi rule. And one young girl who refuses to give up on what she believes in…

London, 2018: When ninety-four-year-old Imogen receives a letter addressed to her in neat, unfamiliar handwriting, she notices the postmark is stamped from Germany - and it sends shivers down her spine…

Germany, 1939: Thirteen-year-old Magda is devastated by the loss of her best friend, shy and gentle Lotte, cruelly snatched from her and sent to a concentration camp – the Star of David sewn on her faded, brown coat. As the Nazi’s power takes hold, Magda realizes she’s not like the other girls in her German village - she hates the fanatical new rules of the Hitler Youth. So Magda secretly joins The White Rose Movement and begins to rebel against the oppressive, frightening world around her.

But when an English bomber pilot crashes in a field near Magda’s home she is faced with an impossible choice: to risk the safety of her family or to save a stranger and make a difference in the devastating war that has claimed the lives of so many.
Little does she know, her actions will have the power to change the life of another girl, on the other side of enemy lines, forever…

Inspired by a true story, this is a heart-wrenching, unputdownable and absolutely unforgettable tale of the strength of human kindness in a time of unimaginable heartbreak. Fans of Orphan Train, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Book Thief will be utterly gripped by this beautiful, sweeping, World War Two novel.

Why readers are falling in love with The Secret Letter:

I was so gripped... a beautifully written story that captivated my mind and heart... A perfect historical fiction novel that fans of this genre are going to love.’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars

It actually blew my mind... I was turning pages like there was no tomorrow... I couldn't read fast enough to find out what happened.’ Goodreads Reviewer

A beautiful, yet heart-wrenching tale... I was blown away by this book and I’m sure you will be too.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘This story was beautifully written and hooked me immediately… I was enthralled with the story all the way to the end and stayed up too late reading, but it was worth it!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘I was hooked from the first page. It was a true page-turner… the author hit a true home run with this one. It will tug at your heart and stay with you which is the mark of a great book. 5 stars - a 2019 must-read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Well I read this in 24 hours, what better compliment can I give it!... The book was a page turner!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Outstanding… such compelling stuff… a real page-turner of a book. The fact that it is inspired by real life events makes it even more poignant. Highly recommended.’ Sibzzreads, 5 stars

5 stars for The Secret Letter! The writing is spectacular…There is romance, intrigue and a weaving of these two lives into one riveting ending.’ Netgalley reviewer, 5 stars

This book deserves 20 stars! Based on many historical and personal family history, the story of two young girls, one British and one German from the start of WW2 to present day is one of the most well written stories I've ever read.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
8,289 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2023
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I particularly love to read about life during WW11. This is a wonderful and compelling story which stretches between England and Germany and the lives of two young girls who grew up during this time. Excellent and well-written.
Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2021
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Easy read. Keeps your attentiom
Reviewed in Canada on August 25, 2021
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Some of it was predictable but it was still a great read. It was an enjoyable story that reminds us that not everyone in Germany was caught up in adoration and admiration for the Nazi way of life and the Third Reich. There was resistance to their ideas from some factions of German society.Across the channel in England, there were English people who were admirers of Adolf Hitler and Nazism and they also were from various facets of society. Thank goodness they were in the minority.
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Reviewed in Canada on November 26, 2019
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My mind is still spinning after finishing this incredible novel. The love and respect of this story,based on real experiences, comes through in every sentence of this amazing book. I felt a strong emotional connection to the characters and their pain and triumphs. Debbie Rix has put her love and soul into keeping the incredible story of her family alive! You will not be able to put this book down...
Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2020
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This story is appealing to both young and old!
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Reviewed in Canada on May 14, 2021
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OK story though too long and a bit bland and the excessive use of "Oh"s was annoying: (Oh Ginny, Oh Joy, Oh Mutti, etc.) Also needs some editing mainly for typos, words left out...
Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2021
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The Secret Letter is an excellent read! Once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down! I loved how the story was about the lives of 2 girls, one in Germany and one in England, and how the war affected both of them. The book is a window into their lives during that difficult time in history.
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Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2021
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It is refreshing to read WW2 history from the personnel and civilian perspective! The story of Imogen and Magda illustrate the humanity on both sides of the war. I learned so much about the war effort at the local level in England, and Germany. So much more meaningful than the usual depictions of war.
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I'd give this book 10 stars if I could. The hell with it, it's worth 10 stars!
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2019
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Wow, what a book! I've read many books about WW11, but this is the absolute best! Debbie Rix makes all the characters come alive; Imogene, Freddie, Karl, Joy, Kathe, Otto, Ben, Michael, and others, but especially Magda! She is an incredibly brave and brazen woman! She is determined to do her "bit" to make sense out of an insane war. Her courage, conviction and fortitude are tireless and simply amazing. This is a real read. Although historical fiction, the last historical note written after the last chapter by the author is as wonderful and informative as the book. A don't miss book, absolutely!
oldtrout
3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant read
Reviewed in Spain on August 11, 2020
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Quite enjoyed thus story but not as much as i thought i woukd. I thought it woukd give more an insight to the war instead of the privare lives of two girls.
Toscana
5.0 out of 5 stars Fact and fiction entwined
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2019
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This was such a good read.
Through the characters of two young girls growing up in World War 2, Imogen in England and Magda in German, we see the war through their eyes. And fascinating and moving are their stories. I learned such a lot as well as being entertained. I feel this would be a good read for adolescents too, a way of introducing the social history of this time.
The author has obviously done a lot of research and she also tells us at the end of the book how her own family’s experiences influenced her writing. I love these stories about real lives entwined with fiction – such an effective way of including history with narrative. I knew nothing about the White Rose Movement, for example, about a group of young Munich university students who attempted to fight back against Hitler. Such bravery. There are several accounts of courage in Debbie Rix’s story, bringing the reality of war home, and how it impacts on ordinary lives. I won’t give any spoilers, but I was pleased that not everything was neatly wrapped up at the end of the story. So much more realistic.
A very moving, beautifully written book. Her best so far, I think. Keep writing! We want more.
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Tanya Ralph
5.0 out of 5 stars Held my interest and I couldn’t put it down
Reviewed in Australia on March 13, 2020
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A different perspective on WW2 Germany, told from an Ayran girl starting when she is quite young, growing up and trying to make sense of the madness around her. At the same time, in Britain we have the point of view of Imogen, who is evacuated to the country and then grows up and takes her place in the Wrens doing her bit for her country. Authors notes at the end show that inspiration is taken from her own parent’s�� experience during the war. Definitely recommend!
Tiffany Usher
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2023
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Engaging and very descriptive makes you feel like you’re there along with all the characters, I would definitely recommend it.