The American Wife

 

The American Wife
The Diplomat's Wife #1
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
Publication date: April 14, 2023 by Bookouture
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4 👢👢👢👢

Summary: With her heart in her mouth, Kitty snuck into her husband’s study. She knew what she had to do to save her dearest friend from the Nazis. She just had to make sure she did not get caught…

Vienna, 1937. When the charismatic and adventurous American Kitty becomes engaged to Austrian diplomat Edgar, she finds herself thrown into a very different world in Europe, and soon realizes that adjusting to her new life is not easy at all. But when the woman designing her wedding dress, Judith, takes Kitty under her wing, she sees the city of Vienna in a new light – a city of culture and music that she can explore with her new friend.

But when the Nazis infiltrate Vienna, the fact that Judith is Jewish means Kitty’s friend is no longer safe. With Edgar also growing ever more distant and secretive, Kitty wonders which side her husband is really on. When Judith must leave the country for her own safety, Kitty does not trust Edgar to help her. As a diplomat’s wife, she knows what it will take to get Judith out; and she could get access to what she needs. But will it mean betraying the man she loves?

As war breaks out, the secrets between Kitty and Edgar drive a dangerous wedge between them, Kitty fears she doesn’t really know the man she married at all.

Facing an impossible choice between her dearest friend and the man she believed was the love of her life, Kitty knows she must find the courage to do the right thing, no matter the personal cost…

The first in THE DIPLOMAT'S WIFE series. Prepare yourself for an eye-opening adventure!

My thoughts: At first Kitty seemed like an overindulged, spoiled, carefree woman. Her desire to be loved and have adventures paralleled her wish to be taken seriously in the male dominated field of international relations. While she appeared to get everything she wanted, Kitty knew that under the surface things weren't quite right. As the Nazis encroached upon her world, Kitty had to decide what course she was going to take. 
The author focused on some of the darkest days in Vienna during WWII. This story highlighted the bravery of so many who chose to do what was right at great risk to themselves. Lucyk-Berger's writing was so compelling and her characters so richly developed that the reader cannot help but be fully immersed in the story. From Minnesota to Toyoko, from Vienna to London, readers follow Kitty as she struggled to find a balance in her life and her marriage. 

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley. 




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