Back of the Book
Berlin, 1944. ‘It is a great honour to have you here, Herr Hitler.’ Lili doesn’t stumble over the lie, her hand steady as she pours champagne. Everything must be perfect, no one can suspect a thing…
Lili Rodenberg and her husband Marius run the Edel, Berlin’s most glamorous hotel. For its wealthy guests, it is an escape from the destruction outside, with its elegant piano bar and fine amber brandy. But Lili is Jewish, a secret she is terrified will end in tragedy for her and their beloved little girl.
Lili’s only choice is to hide in plain sight, her heart racing each time uniformed officers step through the Edel’s grand entrance. As Berlin becomes a more frightening place, Lili pleads with her husband to help shelter those in danger but Marius is adamant: he will not risk the lives of his wife and daughter. Until the day he is called to the front – and goes missing in action.
Left in sole charge of the Edel, a heartbroken Lili fixes her smile as she serves men who would have her killed in an instant if they knew the truth. She decides she must fight back, hiding Jews in the hotel’s wine cellar before moving them to safety. Though she is seized with terror, it gives her the strength to carry on.
But her courage catches the attention of the Resistance. What they ask of her is impossible.
Book Review
As a reader, there are authors whose work you automatically know will tick all your reading boxes and Catherine Hokin does that for me in spades. I feel Catherine Hokin is the queen of a dual timeline and has gotten it down to a perfect science.
The Secret Hotel in Berlin brings us into the world of The Edel Hotel in Berlin. If only the walls could talk they would reveal so much. We get to meet Lili and Marius as they fall in love but Lili’s secret could break their love and so she must live with the angst. Although LIli and Marius’s story is fictional it did make me think about how much this must have happened during the war and how heartbreaking it must be.
Before, the war style reads that I really enjoyed mostly for the human stories and the comradery that were so long ago and in the past. Fast forward to today and reading them is a different experience with so much going on right now in the world. It makes the suffering both physically and mentally for the people more real. Less fiction and more reality. It is an added dimension that I wish was not happening.
The book is harrowing and brutal as was that time. I can’t imagine your family and friends being removed from society just because of their religion. Then understanding that they were murdered. I just don’t understand and never will.
All the characters in the book are flawed in their own way and most of them are carrying the burden of things not said or done. I loved Lili and I think she will be a strong heart stay character for me. Her strength to do the right thing at whatever cost was so inspiring and beautiful. It just all wrapped up so well at the end and like having a really good meal where you are so full and content. That is how the book left me.
The book is so layered and done in such an easy, non complicated manner. You are not bogged down with historical information. But you are welcomed to ghost along with the characters. I felt myself flying through the book as I had to know what happened. I hate to use the term emotional rollercoaster but it really is.
There is only one thing I really don’t like and I feel it does a disservice to the book and that is the title. The hotel is not a secret, it doesn’t make sense. Hotel Berlin, The Hotel in Berlin, In Plain Sight are all examples of titles that could be. I know the author has no say in the title. But that is the only thing that I have to critique.
If you enjoy books by Beryl Kingston, and Maureen Lee and The Storyteller by Jodi Piqoult, you need to have Catherine Hokins books on your autobuy.
All the stars and more, well done. It’s a superb read.
Buy Link
FOLLOW THE TOUR
KELLY’S INSTAGRAM
Click below to learn more about my book publicity services!
In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog
contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for us (at no extra cost for you).
Kelly Lacey & Love Books Tours 
Fantastic review Kelly!
LikeLike