"And no amount of gritting his teeth and mentally declaring that this is different, it's fine, it's not a problem was making the feeling that his soul was being broken apart go away."
Franz Keidel is a perfect SS soldier: loyal, disciplined, and devoted to Hitler With a cold heart, he hunts down his Führer's enemies, but one fateful mission will fracture his shield of ice. While hunting Jews, Franz stumbles across a familiar face: Amos Aumun, his childhood friend. Amos is the only source of joy in Franz's life, but he is also a Jew. Unable to bring himself to kill his friend, Franz vows to protect Amos from his fellow Nazis. As Franz spends more time with Amos, he falls in love with his kind-hearted friend. How could he fall in love with a man, a Jew? How can he continue to hate Jews when a Jew has thawed his icy heart? What will Franz do if he has to choose between love and duty?
This book was a very emotional ride. I mean Franz had a terrible childhood and the only person who ever really showed him compassion was Amos. Fast forward to Nazi Germany, Franz is now an SS officer. On a typical mission to uncover Black Fox members and any hidden Jews, he stumbles upon his old friend hiding in a barn. It is at this moment that Franz first confronts the disconnect between his ideology and his personal beliefs. Franz decides that he will do whatever is necessary to protect Amos. Keep in mind it has been a long time since they've seen one another but Franz feels obligated because Amos gave him so much when they were children.
As the story progresses and the two spend more and more time together, which causes all kinds of trouble for Franz in the work department, a romance develops. I struggled with this because to me the romance that developed between the two of them felt very rushed. I wish it had more time to develop so that I could watch them grow. I also struggled because 90% of their time was Franz hating himself for being in love with a man and a Jew. I just wanted them both to be happy, and Amos always appeared so happy. But Franz was a tormented soul throughout the book.
Now don't get me wrong the author does a marvelous job of showcasing the inner turmoil and struggle of Franz. You can feel alongside him as he is confronted with and tries to compartmentalize loving a Jew, while also hunting down and torturing Jewish people each day. The book was emotional from start to finish and really did not end the way I expected. I don't want to spoil anything but Franz is forced to confront the contradiction in his duty and his love. I just wanted a little more from him in the end. Overall, this book was moving and really begs the question: Does love triumph over all else? ( )

This book was amazing. It starts off innocently enough - a friendship between two boys forged before WWII began. We then jump forward to the midst of the war, and how many things have changed. While nothing can excuse what the SS and Nazis did, this gave us a peek at the motivations behind one person's joining them, and how his beliefs came to be, and were eventually challenged by discovering his life-long friend was in fact Jewish. I loved how much depth the characters had, and appreciated the moments that broke the tension by making me laugh. Hoffman did an excellent job of bringing the whole story to life, and has a unique way of describing things that made this a delight to read. Highly recommend! ( )

4.5
Book source ~ Tour

Franz Keidel and Amos Auman are childhood best friends. Franz’s life is hell, but Amos does his best to make it better. When Franz is 14 he runs away from his abusive father and joins Hitler’s soldiers eventually becoming an SS soldier who hunts down and kills Jews, absolutely unshakeably confident in his mission for the Führer. But one day when he finds Amos hiding from a search he lies to protect his childhood friend. And that’s when everything changes.

This book will grab your heart, make a fist, and squeeze until there is nothing but a dried up husk left. It’s awful. You have to read it! No, seriously. There are so many feels going on here. The author lifts you up then smashes you down, over and over again and I guarantee you’ll ask for more. Plus, that ending! Oh, my. This is a story that will not leak from my brain any time soon. ( )

First off, I knew going into this book that it was a MM romance read. I only mention this because I say several other readers mention that they were not aware of this. Although, as far as MM romance books go, this one is on the sweeter side. So, if you are looking to try a MM book, you may want to try this book.

Author, Elyse does a good job of telling Franz and Amos's story. Dealing with the Nazi back in this time was back enough but I can't imagine trying to have a relationship with someone who is supposed to be considered your enemy.

Additionally, I did find this book to be a quick read. I just wished that I could have found myself connecting emotionally better with Franz and Amos. Therefore, I find myself at times not being focused on what I was reading. Although, this is not the last we see of both men. Which I would read the other books featuring these men. ( )