The Lost Baker Of Vienna.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5★

 Thank you to publisher Viking Penquin|Pamela Dorman Books for providing me with E-ARC via  Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Vienna,1946: Chana Rosensweig has endured the horrors of war to find herself, her mother, and younger brother finally free in Vienna. But freedom doesn’t look like they imagined it would, as they struggle to make a living and stay safe. 

Despite the danger, Chana sneaks out most nights to return to the hotel kitchen where she works as a dishwasher, using the quiet nighttime hours to bake her late father’s recipes. As she tries to balance her love of baking against her family’s need for security, Chana finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle, torn between the black-market dealer who has offered marriage and protection, and the apprentice baker who shares her passions.

 

 🌷

 
I've read a variety of WWII books over the years, but I particularly enjoy the rare ones that stand out. The Lost Baker Of Vienna was the book for me. This beautifully written book will transport you to Vienna, taking you on adventures alongside Zoe and Chana. I loved how vivid the author's descriptions were that you could picture it in your mind. The Lost Baker Of Vienna reminded me why I love historical fiction. I’m so grateful that I got a chance to read this beautiful but heartbreaking story. My favorite part of the book was the way that the author described the characters' emotions, which were so raw that I felt every single emotion that each of the characters felt. 

Dual timelines are my favorites to read about. However, every time that I read dual timelines I wonder what the connection between the two timelines would be. The way the author connected the two timelines was fantastic. I was curious how much Henri would tell Zoe. Although I enjoyed both perspectives, I preferred Chana's over Zoe's because it felt like there was more going on and was more fast paced for me. I can't imagine what Chana went through. I loved Chana's determination and bravery through it all. The character development in this book was fantastic, and even the minor characters stood out to me. The book had a few slower parts, but they didn't last very long. 

I really enjoyed the book's setting. It's one of the places I'd like to visit in the future. The author made Vienna come to life for me. The Lost Baker Of Vienna was an incredible debut novel by Sharon Kurtzman. I would highly recommend it to any historical fiction fans. You won't forget this story. I'm excited to see what she has planned for us next.