Book Review: To Dream Of Shadows by Steve N Lee

Author: Steve N Lee

Title: To Dream Of Shadows

Series: World War II Historical Fiction #1

Genre: Historical Fiction & Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 354 

Published: April 16, 2023

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

She’ll save hundreds of lives. But can she save her own?

Inspired by a previously untold true story.

1943, Eastern Europe. 18-year-old Czech, Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned in some godforsaken hellhole. Half-starved and suffering regular beatings, she battles through month after month of torturous labor while praying for liberation by the Allies. But rescue never comes. And her dream of surviving the war dies.

Heinz, an SS Sergeant, has been force-fed the Third Reich's poisonous philosophy since childhood. As a boy, he had no choice but to believe it, however, nowadays, he uses his position to covertly help prisoners.

So when a random act of kindness thrusts Inge and Heinz together, they can't resist being drawn to one another. And it turns their world upside-down. Unable to deny their feelings, they dare to dream of a future, a life… together.

But their relationship does not go unnoticed. For Inge and Heinz, falling in love becomes a death sentence. And not just for them, but for all those they care about.

Unless…

Inge can make an unthinkable sacrifice.

Inspired by a previously untold true story of a forbidden love, To Dream Of Shadows is an epic tale of compassion, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit.

Review:

I couldn't wait to get started on this book! I have loved other books by the author and I am always drawn to books and stories set during WWII. 

Here we follow the story of Inge and Rudi based on a true story that we do not know a lot about. Inge is torn from her family and imprisoned. She finds herself moved to another camp under Rudi. Rudi has been fed Hitler's lies since he was a boy. Nowadays he realizes that those were lies and is using his power to try to help his prisoners the best he can. When the two meet there is something there. An unthinkable and dangerous love that can and will ruin everything if anyone finds out.

Words are hard.......I really adored this book. I had a hard time putting it down but due to life. Gah. Why must we humans sleep? 

This was just so tragic all the way around. So many countless deaths over hate and lies. The author did a fantastic job bringing this world and these characters to life. They were complex and you wanted everyone to live happily ever after. Times are dark and uncertain. 

Oof the ending got me. Loved that nice final twist so good.

Awww Bruno!!!! That had me in absolute tears!!!

I never, ever encourage this...but you HAVE to read the Author's Note at the end. I found it added something special to what we just read. I won't spoil anything, but yes, read that too once you finish the story. 

This was heart-wrenching, beautifully written, carefully researched, gripping, and inspiring. The characters jump off the page and you won't want to stop reading.

In the end, read this. I enjoyed it. I loved it. 5 stars from me.