What I Would Tell You

Book 1- Echos of the Past

I am not a very enthusiastic reader of World War Two fiction. I think the genre is overdone and sometimes, I think we romanticize those who fought in the war forgetting the psychological effect war brings when it ends. War should never be romanticized, no matter how great the victory was. So, I approached What I Would Tell You with hesitancy. I thought it was unique that it was about Greece instead of France or England. It did not change my attitude about World War Two novels, but it was an interesting story. When Tessa Payton and her cousin conduct a DNA test, Tessa is shocked to receive the test results because it shows her that she is Jewish. In an impulsive move, she decides to travel to Greece and research her biological family. In Greece, she meets a young man named Giannis who works at the Jewish museum. They hit it off and he gives Tessa the diary of a young Jewish woman named Mathilda Nissim during World War Two.

Mathilda Nissim and her pharmacist husband, Asher, live in a small flat in Thessaloniki. Things are peaceful until the Germans invade and their freedoms slowly start to erode. Through all of this, Mathilda finds out she is pregnant. At first, she is determined to raise her child in the environment she is in. However, as things deteriorate, she questions this and begins to entertain a drastic plan.

I had mixed feelings of this novel. I do like dual timeline novels and it was nice to read a Word War Two novel that was not set in England or France. In Mathilda’s story, though, I was perplexed at her relationship with her Christian friend, Ioanna. From time to time, Ioanna would stress to Mathilda the importance of accepting Christ. But Mathilda is Jewish. One of the themes in this novel is to respect different religions. In my opinion, Ioanna should not do this since Jews do not believe Jesus is the Messiah; it is not her place to insistent on it. She should have respected Mathilda’s faith. They can both have a respectful friendship and believe in different theologies.

About the Author:

Liz Tolsma is the author of many World War Two, romantic suspense, and Amish novels. She also works as an editor. Liz lives in Wisconsin with her husband and youngest daughter. Her other children are a son who is a United States Marine and a daughter who is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, taking care of her garden, kayaking, and camping. She also hosts the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast, which I listen to and I highly recommend it.

Giveaway:

Liz is giving away a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a copy of the book. Click the below link to enter:

https://promosimple.com/ps/23ccb/what-i-would-tell-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Next Books to Review: Mistaken Twin Target and A Journey for Hope

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