Rachel hasn't seen her best friend, Kristine, in years, but when she returns to Germany and receives a mysterious note from her, their paths cross again. Kristine is married to Rachel's ex-boyfriend Schlick, a cruel man who is now a Hitler follower. Kristine is terrified for their child, Amelie who is deaf and thus not worthy of life according to Schlick. After finding a shocking story related to her own family history, Rachel agrees to hide Amelie, but with SS officers around every corner, such a feat proves more challenging than anyone imagined.

SAVING AMELIE by Cathy Gohlke puts you right in the heart of the soon-to-be war driven 1939 Germany. Tensions among the people are high, and it's starting to become nearly impossible to leave the country. The setting is beautifully done, and the aggression in the air surrounding the characters is nearly tangible. Along with smooth writing, it isn't hard to fly through this long novel.

Though I love the unique spin on Rachel being raised by a genetic researcher, one who is rumored to work with Hitler, that angle kind of fizzles during the story. It starts off as creating a great contrast between Rachel and her father, as well as a nice intrigue between Rachel and Jason, an American journalist trying to find the truth behind the rumors. Soon after, the plot begins to focus on Rachel's family secret.

Though Amelie's life is what sets off so much of the action, she seems to fade into the background. Most of the characters instantly love her or become attached to her right away, and it makes her "there" without actively playing much of a part. With her being deaf, I expected a lot more conflict to be worked through, but it seemed like it wasn't there or was glazed over.

Even with these few points, SAVING AMELIE is definitely worth the read. Cathy Gohlke is a very talented author, and I love how she links so many different lives and meshes them together so well. I recommend SAVING AMELIE for everyone who likes World War II Germany historical fiction with inspirational tones.

Book Summary

Increasingly wary of her father’s genetic research, Rachel Kramer has determined that this trip with him to Germany—in the summer of 1939—will be her last. But a cryptic letter from her estranged friend, begging Rachel for help, changes everything. Married to SS officer Gerhardt Schlick, Kristine sees the dark tides turning and fears her husband views their daughter, Amelie, deaf since birth, as a blight on his Aryan bloodline.

Once courted by Schlick, Rachel knows he’s as dangerous as the swastikas that hang like ebony spiders from every government building in Berlin. She fears her father’s files may hold answers about Hitler’s plans for others, like Amelie, whom the regime deems “unworthy of life.” She risks searching his classified documents only to uncover shocking secrets about her own history and a family she’s never known.

Now hunted by the SS, Rachel turns to Jason Young—a driven, disarming American journalist and unlikely ally—who connects her to the resistance and to controversial theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Forced into hiding, Rachel’s every ideal is challenged as she and Jason walk a knife’s edge, risking their lives—and asking others to do the same—for those they barely know but come to love.

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