First Book Review of 2023: The Secret Society of Salzburg by Renee Ryan

HAPPY NEW YEAR BOOKWORMS!

I hope everyone has had a magical start to 2023! The end of 2022 was extremely rough for me, thus the reason for my absence. Not to go into too much graphic detail, but my stomach surgery came with a myriad of unknown complications which kept me in the hospital longer than expected, and has made my recovery very painful and excruciatingly slow. It also meant that I completely missed out on the entire holiday season, including Christmas with my family, and I got sick again on New Years Eve, so the hits just keep on coming for 2023.

Despite everything I've been through I am looking forward to this year, and have high hopes that once I get over the my recovery that I will be stronger and better! Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me, been praying for my recovery, and has been so patient with me. You all are truly blessings and I thank God for each and every one of you.

Now, without further ado I give my FIRST REVIEW of 2023: The Secret Society of Salzbury by Renee Ryan.

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Tour for The Secret Society of Salzburg by Renee Ryan, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Secret Society of Salzburg

Author: Renee Ryan

Publisher: Love Inspired Trade

Release Date: December 27, 2022

Genre: Historical Inspirational WW2 Romance

From the author of The Widows of Champagne, and inspired by true events, comes a gripping and heartwrenching story of two very different women united to bring light to the darkest days of World War II.

London, 1933

At first glance, Austrian opera singer Elsa Mayer-Braun has little in common with the young English typist she encounters on tour. Yet she and Hattie Featherstone forge an instant connection—and strike a dangerous alliance. Using their friendship as a cover, they form a secret society with a daring goal: to rescue as many Jews as possible from Nazi persecution.

Though the war’s outbreak threatens Elsa and Hattie’s network, their efforts attract the covert attention of the British government, offering more opportunities to thwart the Germans. But Elsa’s growing fame as Hitler’s favorite opera singer, coupled with her secret Jewish ancestry, make her both a weapon and a target—until her future, too, hangs in the balance.

From the glamorous stages of Covent Garden and Salzburg to the horrors of Bergen-Belsen, two ordinary women swept up by the tide of war discover an extraordinary friendship—and the courage to save countless lives.

My Review

The Secret Society of Salzburg instantly immersed me into its world. It skips back and forth, between past and “present”, seamlessly, creating a full, clear picture of the story that transpires between Elsa and Hattie, two kindred spirits with beautiful souls connected by music.

The friendships between the women in this novel is truly poetic and I loved Hattie and Elsa’s shared passions for wanting to help those in need despite them both coming from such different backgrounds. The Second World War is an event that should’ve never came to pass, and I appreciate all stories that depict those brave souls who did what they could to fight one of the most evil regimes in history.

I appreciated the depth of the characters, understanding each ones plights and motivations before getting to the meat of the story. Though I am not personally an opera fan myself, I am a true fan of music and the arts and have such an appreciation for those that are able to sing at such a caliber. It truly is a gift from God that few possess that I truly am in awe of.

One thing that I really appreciated in this historical fiction was the touch of mystery surrounding the “betrayer”. Even though once the truth was revealed, and it was someone at the top of my suspect list, how that plot line played out touched me deeply, so I wasn’t the least bit upset that it was so predictable. The story has the perfect ebb and flow, the characters developed, their plights clear, and their motivations without question. It is a very character-driven novel, but that doesn’t take away from the tension and or rollercoaster of emotions that you feel when you’re reading.

I read The Secret Society of Salzburg in one sitting, staying up until the wee hours to see this truly touching story come to fruition, and I savored every moment.

My Rating: ★★★★★

Also Available

The Christy Award 2022 Finalist

About the Author

Renee Ryan grew up in a Florida beach town outside Jacksonville, FL. Armed with a degree in Economics and Religion from Florida State University, she explored various career opportunities, including stints at a Florida theme park and a modeling agency. She currently lives in Savannah, Georgia with her husband and a large, fluffy cat many have mistaken for a small bear.

Connect with Renee by visiting reneeryan.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 3, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on January 10, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.