My favorite historical fiction cover World War I and World War II. I recently was introduced to an amazing author of this genre, Pam Jenoff. I am now completely obsessed with her books and think you will be as well. In each of the three books I have read, I am impressed by Jenoff’s ability to portray “enemy” characters as real humans in inhumane times. 
These books have twists and turns I did not expect. Jenoff combines intrigue, history and romance in her books. I read three of her books in 4 days, if that tells you what a fan I have become! Also, you will love that some of the characters are featured in many of her books so you find out what has happened with them.
World War I and World War II Fiction
The Ambassador’s Daughter by Pam Jenoff
I started with The Ambassador’s Daughter. This book is set just after the end of World War I. Margot Rosenthal, a Jewish woman from Germany, is in Paris with her father, a German diplomat. She prefers Paris than being in Germany with her injured fiancé. She meets a friend, Krysia, and begins to work for a German office, Georg. A web of lies, romance and intrigue follow. I don’t want to spoil the story but will say, READ IT!!! Bonus- You can read the first two chapters on the author’s website-here.
photo courtesy of pamjenoff.com
From the author, “Paris, 1919. The world’s leaders have gathered to rebuild from the ashes of the Great War. But for one woman, the City of Light harbors dark secrets and dangerous liaisons, for which many could pay dearly.
Against the backdrop of one of the most significant events of the century, a delicate web of lies obscures the line between the casualties of war and of the heart, making trust a luxury that no one can afford. “
Mira provided a digital review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Kommandant’s Girl by Pam Jenoff
I finished The Ambassador’s Daughter WAY too quickly so I immediately downloaded an earlier Jenoff book, The Kommandant’s Girl. This book is set during World War II and we again meet Krysia. Jenoff again does a masterful job of showing extreme wartime conditions including The Resistance.
photo courtesy of pamjenoff.com
From the author, ” Nineteen-year-old Emma Bau has been married only three weeks when Nazi tanks thunder into her native Poland. Within days Emma’s husband, Jacob, is forced to disappear underground, leaving her imprisoned within the city’s decrepit, moldering Jewish ghetto. But then, in the dead of night, the resistance smuggles her out. Taken to Kraków to live with Jacob’s Catholic cousin, Krysia, Emma takes on a new identity as Anna Lipowski, a gentile. “
Loved it so I immediately downloaded …
The Diplomat’s Wife by Pam Jenoff
This book follows The Kommandant’s Girl. Marta says, “How have I been lucky enough to come here, to be alive, when so many others are not? I should have died… But I am here.”
photo courtesy of pamjenoff.com
So you assume that the war is over and Marta will go on with her civilian life. But NO! More wartime intrigue follows along with romance and so many surprises in the book, I could not stop reading.
From the author, “1945. Surviving the brutality of a Nazi prison camp, Marta Nederman is lucky to have escaped with her life. Recovering from the horror, she meets Paul, an American soldier who gives her hope of a happier future. But their plans to meet in London are dashed when Paul’s plane crashes. Devastated and pregnant, Marta marries Simon, a caring British Diplomat and glimpses the joy that home and family can bring. But her happiness is threatened when she learns of a communist spy in British intelligence, and that the one person who can expose the traitor is connected to her past…”
Fortunately for us, Jenoff has three other books that I will be reading shortly.
World War I and World War II Fiction Pinterest Board
You might like other books of this genre. Here is the Great Thoughts’ World War I and II Books Pinterest Board.
What are you reading and where are you going?
Think I need to read The Diplomat’s Wife now.. Adding it to the list!
These look like great books and I love all three covers!
You have convinced me to add Pam Jenoff’s books to my list!
I’m a history buff, especially about WWII. My fave is the Diplomat’s Wife.