Saving Anna by Sharon Struth
Published: November 20, 2018
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Pages: 226
Genres: contemporary fiction, contemporary romance, domestic fiction
Rating: 4.5 stars
Recommend to fans of: genealogy, bringing history to life, kind people, people helping people recover from tough situations
Foodie Vibes: German pretzels and beer
Synopsis:
Warming people’s hearts with true accounts of kindness is what columnist Anna Kelly does best. But no one knows the private misery she endures in her abusive marriage. Still, leaving is difficult–until a deeply personal bequest from a beloved elderly neighbor compels Anna to travel to Germany. There she begins an unexpected adventure of paying it forward that will take her far from her complicated life in Brooklyn.
Arriving in the historic and picturesque city of Mainz, on the breathtaking Rhine River, Anna settles in at a cozy guesthouse filled with colorful residents. But fulfilling her task will require the help of a translator and knowledgeable guide.
Josef Schmitt will gladly shuttle the American visitor around if it distracts him from his dark thoughts. Ever since a serious accident sidelined him at the local excursions company, he’s been unable to forget the pain he caused or forgive himself. Now, accompanying Anna on her mission takes them both to surprising places–and they just may find the courage to truly set themselves free. . .
Review:
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing Corporation, and Sharon Struth for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.
Anna’s divorcing her abusive husband. She’s using a trip to Germany from an old friend as a way to hopefully stay safe while the divorce papers are served. I thought it was a great setup for her to explore the German countryside and let us readers experience the adventure as well. The story reminds us of the atrocities of WWII, and the good people who tried to help others as well. The fictional story was a way to remind us of all those people persecuted, not just those in the concentration camps.
I also enjoyed Anna’s relationship with Josef. They were both recovering from a lot in life. They were making the best of it and trying to move forward. Their relationship helped each other grow as people.
Overall, it’s a wonderful story of trust, vulnerability, kindness and friendship.
How many of you live or have visited Germany?
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