2016 Christy Award Finalist (Historical novel category)
All her life, Hannah Sterling longed for a close relationship with her estranged mother. Following Lieselotte’s death, Hannah determines to unlock the secrets of her mother’s mysterious past and is shocked to discover a grandfather living in Germany.
Thirty years earlier, Lieselotte’s father is quickly ascending the ranks of the Nazi party, and a proper marriage for his daughter could help advance his career. Lieselotte is in love—but her beloved Lukas is far from an ideal match, as he secretly works against the Reich. Yet Lieselotte never imagined how far her father would go to ensure her cooperation.
Both Hannah’s and Lieselotte’s stories unfold as Hannah travels to Germany to meet her grandfather, who is hiding wartimes secrets of his own. Longing for connection, yet shaken by all she uncovers, Hannah must decide if she can atone for her family’s tragic past and how their legacy will shape her future.
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 1/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 1/5
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Summary
Forgiveness is often reclusive, lingering in the shadows of an embittered soul, hoping that the light of truth never deems to shine in its direction. Hannah Sterling avoids the specter of forgiveness like a plague, and some would argue that she has good reason to embrace anger, bitterness and regret; especially in light of the horrific circumstances that preceded her own birth and proceeded to ruin the lives of her family members, both known and unknown. Following the death of her mother, Hannah travels to Germany, intrigued by items that a search of her childhood home has initiated. She is determined to find answers to the secrets that her mother kept locked away in a safe deposit box until the day she died. Discovering a grandfather that she never knew existed, Hannah is shocked when he is less than forthcoming about her mother\'s past, and with good reason. Lieselotte Sommer was a relentless champion for freedom and thus an enemy of the Reich, paying for her courage with the right to a happy future. Aided by an unexpected friend and confidant, Hannah unearths a literal trove of atrocities, only to find her own life at a strategic crossroads; will her family\'s past destroy her as well, or will it send her on a path of love and redemption that she never knew existed. Written in dual voices, \"Secrets She Kept\" traces the amazing lives of not one, but two young women whose lives are miraculous testimonies, with very different endings.
Violence: The atrocities of Ravensbruck are described gently and honorably, but still contain mention of inhumane treatment of individuals.
Drug & Alcohol: Alcohol is served at several social occasions.