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  • What Only We Know

  • A Heart-Wrenching and Unforgettable World War 2 Historical Novel
  • By: Catherine Hokin
  • Narrated by: Jasmine Blackborow
  • Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (42 ratings)

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What Only We Know

By: Catherine Hokin
Narrated by: Jasmine Blackborow
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Summary

A door slammed and the unmistakable sound of boots came crashing up the hall. Liese held her little daughter’s hand so tightly, the tiny fingers had turned purple. The SS officer’s hand was at Liese’s throat before she saw him move. "I can kill you easily, then I can kill your daughter." He relaxed his grip a little. "Or perhaps I could kill her first?"

England, 40 years later. When Karen Cartwright is unexpectedly called home to nurse her ailing father, she goes with a heavy heart. The house she grew up in feels haunted by the memory of her father’s closely guarded secrets about her beautiful mother Elizabeth’s tragic death years before.

As she packs up the house, Karen discovers an old photograph and a stranger’s tattered love letter to her mother postmarked from Germany after the war.

During her life, Karen struggled to understand her shy, fearful mother, but now she is realizing there was so much more to Elizabeth than she knew. For one thing, her name wasn’t even Elizabeth, and her harrowing story begins long before Karen was born.

It’s 1941 in Berlin, and a young woman called Liese is being forced to wear a yellow star...

A beautiful and gripping wartime story about family secrets and impossible choices in the face of terrible hardship. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, We Were the Lucky Ones, and The Alice Network.

©2020 Catherine Hokin (P)2020 Bookouture
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What listeners say about What Only We Know

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A funny thing

Today I was listening to the last of Only What We Know as I was driving my truck back to the factory ( timber frame buildings )in Margate.
Andrew was just saying
" I was a British Officer and Michael was a German resistance fighter",
when I saw a WW2 Wehrmacht Kubelwagen being driven in the opposite direction on the M2. I thought it was funny that I'd not seen one for years and I just happened to be listening to a fantastic WW2 story.
Listening to this book has got me wanting to go to Germany again, I've worked and holidayed there many times, very nice people.
This is the second Catherine Hokin book I've finished, just starting the third as I drive my truck to another destination.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A beautiful book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting and dealt with so many different aspects of that time and the war. It traced and retold the stories of the main characters, so divided, yet each had an effect on the other. Jasmine Blackborow narrated it beautifully.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

WW2 drama

I do like a WW2 book and have listened and read a fair few.

Now don’t get me wrong this was a good story however it was softened too much by a love story of the present day overlaying the principal story from the war years, making it a bit twee rather than gritty which it could have been.
Like ordering a double expresso and getting a cappuccino instead.

Narration was ok neither exciting or poor.

I personally think there are better WW2books which I would personally recommend over this book,
They are......The nightingale, Beneath a scarlett sky and People like us.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An original and engaging story from WWII

Bravo! What a story with nothing predictable and thoroughly engaging characters. The emotion was kept real throughout every turn and it was read empatheticly and sincerely. A page turner for sure. Highly recommended

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A good listen.....

Thoroughly enjoyed this audible book. A good WW2 story and very well narrated. Would recommend.

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Thoroughly Engrossing

If you enjoy WW2 human interest stories this is one of the best. The characters are very tangible, the story is compelling with no boring bits and the reader is one of the best. A thoroughly enjoyable book.

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A tearjerker

Wow a very moving but beautiful story. Really nice gentle narration which is so fitting for the book

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Avid reader Jean

It was a very well written and entertaining book but one incident was horrible and even worse It was repeated again but with even more horror added .I know it's to be expected in that era but this was absolutely awful .So I fast forwarded past it to the end I was very upset .

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A difficult listen

I almost gave up on this audio book as the first half just seemed to meander aimlessly. Having completed the book, I understand that the author was trying to convey some background / context to the characters, albeit somewhat drawn out.

The second half of the story was better and really drew you in but it was a very difficult listen. I accept that the subject matter was always going to be upsetting but I have to say i found the aftermath of Leisa’s experiences downright depressing at times.

Spoiler alert:
Leisa’s spiral downwards into suicide was disturbing. Definitely not one to read/listen if you’re not feeling positive/strong.

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