Synopsis:
To survive the Holocaust, a young Jewish woman must pose as a Christian farmer’s wife in this unforgettable novel from USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Robson—a story of terror, hope, love, and sacrifice, inspired by true events, that vividly evokes the most perilous days of World War II.
It is the autumn of 1943, and life is becoming increasingly perilous for Italian Jews like the Mazin family. With Nazi Germany now occupying most of her beloved homeland, and the threat of imprisonment and deportation growing ever more certain, Antonina Mazin has but one hope to survive—to leave Venice and her beloved parents and hide in the countryside with a man she has only just met.
Nico Gerardi was studying for the priesthood until circumstances forced him to leave the seminary to run his family’s farm. A moral and just man, he could not stand by when the fascists and Nazis began taking innocent lives. Rather than risk a perilous escape across the mountains, Nina will pose as his new bride. And to keep her safe and protect secrets of his own, Nico and Nina must convince prying eyes they are happily married and in love.
But farm life is not easy for a cultured city girl who dreams of becoming a doctor like her father, and Nico’s provincial neighbors are wary of this soft and educated woman they do not know. Even worse, their distrust is shared by a local Nazi official with a vendetta against Nico. The more he learns of Nina, the more his suspicions grow—and with them his determination to exact revenge.
As Nina and Nico come to know each other, their feelings deepen, transforming their relationship into much more than a charade. Yet both fear that every passing day brings them closer to being torn apart . . .
Rating: 5-stars
Review:
Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson is a beautifully heartbreaking reminder of those unforgettable nightmares. The Holocaust is one of the darkest nights in our history. The details from this book make history come alive again. Now, I am not only remembering the horrible historical past but it felt like I was experiencing it too. Jennifer Robson writes so clearly. Her scenes are vivid. The cast of characters are so real I can’t believe I was reading fiction. Inside, I follow many characters on their journey of survival. Two young people must face the dangers of the Nazis and band together. Risks come with everything. They must make their marriage look real enough to keep suspicions away. However, there is an enemy who is determined to see through their fake barricade and crush them apart. I enjoyed reading this book. It was sad, epic, and unforgettable. Especially, Nina and Nico. I have never read a book by Jennifer Robson but now, I will look for more books by her in the future.
Urban Book Reviews 