The Brunswick by Callie Murray: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

The Book

When Cora provides a safe haven for Jewish refugee children, she discovers that opening her doors means risking everything, including her heart.

In 1939 Georgia, far removed from the war brewing overseas, Cora Cain's world feels small--and shrinking. There, she runs The Brunswick, her family's once-grand hotel, which is now struggling as the town's general store. When Thomas Watkins arrives seeking work and solace after his mother's death, a connection sparks between them. Through Thomas, Cora glimpses a life beyond obligation and her war hero father's unpredictable moods.

But everything changes when Cora is asked to turn The Brunswick into a sanctuary for Jewish children fleeing persecution in Germany. As Cora and Thomas prepare for the children's arrival, they struggle to confront their pasts--and the prejudice of their neighbors--as their fragile hope is put to the test.

Meanwhile, in Vienna, ten-year-old Charlotte is offered refuge in America. But even with the horrors she sees around her, she wonders how her parents could possibly send her away. As war's shadow begins to reach small-town Georgia, each person must face what love demands and decide what to hold on to and what to let go.

Inspired by true events, Callie Murray weaves a Southern World War II historical novel set in Georgia with themes of wartime romance, parenthood, foster care, adoption, reconciliation, faith, and found family. Fans of Allen Levi, Amy Lynn Green, and Sarah Sundin will savor this stirring novel.

The Author

Callie Murray is an entrepreneur who has been featured on The Today Show and in The New York Times. Her debut Southern fiction book delves into the lesser-known historical details preceding World War II. Callie and her husband live in Norcross, Georgia with their seven children, four of whom came through the honor of adoption.

Book Review

What a beautiful debut this one was! When it comes to historical fiction, there has always been something about the WWII era that has really drawn me in and so I've found myself reading a LOT of books set during this time. As such, it's always interesting to come across a story that focusses on a different aspect of that time that I haven't read about before... stories like this one. These characters easily drew me into their world and had me rooting for them. It is a story that is filled with faith and a sense of found family, but also one that doesn't shy away from the hard realities of wartime (to include brief mentions of suicide). The author's heart for adoption and foster care was evident through this story as well, and all just balanced together very beautifully. With a debut like this, I very much look forward to seeing what she does next. If you enjoy WWII fiction and learning more about lesser-known aspects of history, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.



You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4s4TUi3