The Pianist's Wife.

 

★★★★★

Thank you to publisher, Lake Union Publishing for providing me with copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

 RELEASE DATE: 02/04/2025

Berlin, 1944: Amira and Gisele have been best friends since they were children, and now Gisele is the only person who knows Amira’s secret. A secret that puts her and everyone she loves in unimaginable danger amid the daily horror and violence of Nazi Germany. 

With the threat of exposure drawing closer, Gisele’s suggestion that Amira marries her friend Fred, a famous pianist, might just be the lifeline she needs to keep them both safe. Because Fred has secrets too.
As the two strangers promise to look after each other, a profound love develops. But while the war rages on, Amira, Fred and Gisele are soon faced with terrible choices that will test their loyalty—and their courage—to the ultimate limits. How far will they go to keep each other alive? 

 🌷

 
Heartbreaking, heartwarming, and memorable are only a few words that describe this book. This was one of the most beautifully written books I'd read this year. 

I discovered Soraya M. Lane in 2019 and have read a few of her books since. I loved them all. I was excited when she announced that she was writing a new book. I loved so many aspects of this book, especially the story, which moved me in many ways. Despite its content, The Pianist's Wife is a book that will captivate you from start to finish. I was engrossed in Amira’s story when I picked up the book, and I felt myself being transformed into her world through the book. I was both excited and scared about what Amira would face next. I had no idea what to expect while reading this novel, and just when I thought I couldn't be more shocked, another unexpected twist changed everything. 

You couldn't help but love Amira. I adored her from the beginning. She may not have felt it, but she was strong. Amira endured many hardships simply because of who her mother was, yet she refused to give up. I was rooting for her every step of the way. . Part of me didn't want her story to end, primarily because I was frightened of how it would end. I wasn't initially sure about Amira and Fred; especially given why they married. It didn't take long for me to change my mind; their bond revealed how much they cared for one another. 

Sometimes, the book was difficult to read, and I had to take a break to reflect. I've read a few books set during WWII; it's one of my favorite subjects to read about, but The Pianist's Wife affected me the most. I loved Amira and Gisele's friendship; it was one of my favorite parts of the story. Gisele took great measures to preserve her friend's secret, showing the significance of true friendship. I could see how much research went into this book and learned a lot while reading it. I suggest this to anyone who loves historical fiction. I would rate it higher than 5 stars. It's one of my favorite reads this year.