We are in November and the 11th has not long passed where we remember the heroism and loss of war. A time that we perhaps don’t always think about or even know about from the tragedies of WW2 is the occupation of Guernsey. An island that belongs to Britain, but is actually closer to France and where its people are fiercely independent and the majority are proud to be guernesiais. But this island was almost left behind during WW2 and became occupied by the German Reich. The eBook that I am about to review, takes place just as the occupation occurred and follows the journey of Jack a Policeman on the Island, who has been living his life as a normal young man would, and spending time with his Jewish German girlfriend. But his life is changed in an instant with the arrival of the Germans on the Island and his love for Johanna, turns into fear. The fear of her being caught and discovered, and how rapidly the decline of the Island takes over and survival becomes the clear path that both these young lovers have to take.
The German Nurse by M.J. Hollows, is a Historical romance novel which is set in the Second World War. The book is being published by Harper Collins and is a big read but well worth it if you can spend the time over lockdown catching up on some books. I always enjoy anything that relates to the WW2 and its always interesting when its an aspect of the war that doesn’t often get talked about. You may all have heard of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which has been made into a film based on its book of the same name. This tells the story of the time after the German occupation however, you also get a mini insight into what took place. But the book by M.J Hollows takes places actually during the German takeover and is such a powerful and emotional tale of what took place. Read on to really find out what I thought.
The second sentence in the second paragraph needs changing to (remove it has been written by…) and changed to It is set during the Second World War.
What I thought of the eBook
This is a well written and extremely descriptive eBook. I was transported to the horrors and the woes of the people from Guernsey who were trapped on an island that no longer felt like home. We hear of all this through the eyes of Jack the lead in this tale. Which may seem confusing as the title is of the German Nurse. We do learn about Johanna, but she isn’t the focal character. She is always in the thoughts of Jack and when they do get to meet we do learn of her character and why she has ended on Guernsey.
Jack tells the story of the decline of the island and of the people on it. How Britain had tried to starve the Germans of supplies in the hope that they would just leave in defeat. But in doing so Britain also starved the people of supplies too. We learn of how the Reich brought over people from the worker camps in Germany and made them work over in Guernsey and they too missed out on food. Jack loses so much as the year’s pass, but still soldiers on trying to live some sort of life.
I don’t want to give any more away but it’s not hard to imagine what might have happened. This is a tale fraught with emotion and some of the decisions that have to be made can only be understood if you lived in that time, but Hollows has managed to ensure that the reader is able to feel the pull of love that Jack has for Johanna, and how it is the only thing helping him to survive during his darkest times.
The book is long and wordy, and my only criticism would be that it isn’t really about the German Nurse. I found this title a little misleading. But I really enjoyed the historical aspects and had I not been expecting a full-on romance, I think I would have to say it is still a great book. Like with many novels it has a little bit of predictability about it, but this doesn’t affect the fact that it has a pleasing end. Although perhaps not the end you may have thought (or maybe you did – I am not telling!)
Where can you buy the eBook?
You can buy this eBook direct from Amazon here for £1.99.
About the eBook
About the Author
Micheal J Hollows was born in London is 1986. He now lives in Liverpool and previously lectured in Audio Engineering. He has successfully completed an MA in Writing and is now studying towards a PHD in creative writing. it has been a passion of his since he was a child and as well as this historical novel and his first book Goodbye for Now, he has written a number of fantasy novels based on Warhammer (which are paintable figure combat sets).
Review by: Lex Ward
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*We were sent a copy of the eBook in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
27 comments
This sounds like a great book, I love books that have history in them and you see how peoples lives were living through those times. One for my reading list
I love WWII fiction and history. I find it fascinating that something so horrific went on less than 100 years ago.
It has always been mine favourite part of history to learn about so I will check this out x
So glad to hear that, I am sure you will enjoy the read
I love historical fiction and think the German occupation of the Channel Island is fascinating.
Yes it is facinating indeed
This sounds like a great read, I love books that are really descriptive, so much so they can transport you to the place they are describing! This sounds like a book full of emotion too! x
Especially if you love historical themed romance set during WW2
I love the front of this book cover instantly. I’m really into historical books and always intrigued by it . Would
Definitely give it a read
Thanks for sharing that Kira
Sounds like a gripping read. It must’ve been interesting to hear more about what Guernsey went through during this time.
Agree, it was indeed
I never used to like war books but have slowly started to enjoy them more. This ones sounds like one that I would enjoy
Glad to hear that
This sounds like a really interesting read, I love a book that can really bring to life what the time and environment was like and this one seems to be able to do that x
Agree with you there, it is a great book
I’ve read a couple of historical romances recently and enjoyed them, so I think this would be right up y street. Thanks, Mich x
Glad to hear the Mich
This sounds like a really emotional read. I don’t usually read historical romances but I may just have to give this a try
Something different but great if you are into historical elements and romance
It’s great when a book is descriptive. It really helps give you a good feel of the characters, location etc. Sounds like you mostly enjoyed it.
Yes I mostly did, it is a good book
I love the front of this book cover instantly. I’m really like historical books and always intrigued by it . Would
definitely give it a read. Thanks for sharing.
The book cover is lovely isn’t it?
Another good book review yet again. this sounds like a good but emotional one for sure, but deffo worth a e- read thank you x
You are welcome
My mum loves books that have history references in them. This does look like a great read.
Yes it was indeed