Book Synopsis:
1941, Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. An unforgettable story of love, hope and betrayal, and a testament to the courage of humanity in history’s darkest days.
University professor Josef Held has never recovered from the loss of his beloved wife – and has no intention of ever letting anyone new into his quiet, safe world. It is a world where the clock ticks steadily in his mathematics classroom, even as the sinister beat of Nazi soldiers’ boots threaten to drown it out.
Terrified, Josef tries to keep his eyes on the ground as Jews across the city are forced into ghettos. But then Michael Blum, his most reluctant, infuriating pupil, tells Josef Jews like him will no longer be allowed to study at all. Josef can ignore the situation no longer. And, after the shock of seeing his neighbour killed on his own doorstep, he offers Michael a place to hide in an impulsive act of courage.
Michael is everything Josef is not: spontaneous, poetic, and unafraid to love. Even though his passionate relationship with a Dutch girl is strictly forbidden – for he is Jewish, and she is not. Somehow, in the quiet gloom of the attic, Josef doesn’t mind things about Michael that annoyed him in the classroom, and a bond begins to grow.
Remembering the pain of his own heartbreak, Josef is desperate to give Michael and his girlfriend a chance. He must go on as if nothing has changed: teaching his class, bowing to the Nazis. Beneath the fear, a thrill of defiance begins to bloom. But then Michael becomes perilously ill, and there is no way to get him the help he desperately needs.
As the dark days of war continue, with danger and betrayal at every turn, no-one can be trusted. If Michael is to survive and get back to the woman he loves, it will be down to Josef – to find the hero inside himself, and do whatever it takes to keep Michael alive. Even if it means putting his own life on the line.
A heartbreakingly beautiful story about love, trust, and courage against the odds, perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Lilac Girls, and The Nightingale.
A View Across The Rooftops is available in ebook now for the fantastic price of 99p and in paperback on the 31st October 2019. You can purchase or pre-order your copy using the link below.
My Review:
This is an emotional, thought provoking read which manages to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
The author does a great job of setting the scene in this book so the reader feels like they are actually there watching everything unfold. I loved the sense of community spirit that existed with the characters showing strength and determination despite living in abject fear. The characters showed a lot of courage as they were willing to risk their lives to try and help others. I can’t imagine living through such a scary time and the fact that some of these stories are true adds a lot of emotion to the story as the events on the book probably did happen.
The story progresses at a great pace and all the storylines came together very well. The author manage to mix historical facts with fiction to make a truly compelling read which held my attention. I enjoyed following all the characters personal stories whilst learning more about Amsterdam and the holocaust during the war.
This is unbelievably the author’s debut novel and I’m very excited to read more from her in the future. If you are a fan of historical fiction set in the second world war then you’ll love this book.
Huge thanks to Sarah Hardy for Inc me onto the blog tour and to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley.
About The Author:
Suzanne Kelman is a 2015 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Finalist, Multi-Award-Winning Screenwriter and a Film Producer. As well as working in film she is also an International Amazon Bestselling Fiction Author of the Southlea Bay Series – The Rejected Writers’ Book Club, Rejected Writers Take the Stage and The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding. Born in the United Kingdom, she now resides in Washington State.
Links:
https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com/
Over The Rainbow Blog 
Great review Joanna. This is one I really want to read.
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