Happy Friday! If you are looking for a fantastic book to get lost in this weekend, look no further than When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin. I am so excited to be featuring this stunning historical romance for today’s edition of First Line Friday, the weekly linkup hosted by Hoarding Books.

Berlin, Germany

Tuesday, March 15, 1938

“Evelyn Brand had done a crack bit of journalism, and she hadn’t even had to dress like a man to do so.”

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

The Basics

Title: When Twilight Breaks

Author: Sarah Sundin

Release Date: February 2, 2021

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Munich, 1938

Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession and to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country–or worse. If she does not report truthfully, she’ll betray the oppressed and fail to wake up the folks back home.

Peter Lang is an American graduate student working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party–to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can’t get off his mind.

As the world marches relentlessly toward war, Evelyn and Peter are on a collision course with destiny.

My Thoughts

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would! When Twilight Breaks is a Sarah Sundin’s best work yet. She has proven once again why she is a master storyteller and one of the best authors of WWII fiction! This story is unique among her books, as it takes place before the war and features main characters who are not members of the military. It was fascinating to read more about what life was like for Americans in prewar Nazi Germany.

Peter and Evelyn are both rich, compelling characters. With her spunk and determination, and his steady, protective nature, they complement each other so well. I felt like I was right there in Germany with them, as Peter came to realize necessity of balancing order and freedom, and Evelyn insisted on finding and sharing the truth, no matter the consequences. Their story is perfectly intertwined with the historical events of the time, full of the detail and accuracy Sundin is known for. Tension and intrigue add sparks to the story as Peter and Evelyn find themselves in danger again and again, never sure who they can trust.

Books like this one are the reason I love reading – I love the feeling of finding a story that captivates my heart and my mind, and shows me something about the world from a different perspective. I’m sure this powerful story of faith, commitment, and courage will stay with you long after the last page as it has with me.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!