When Allina meets Karl, a high-ranking SS officer with secrets of his own, the two must decide how much they are willing to share with each other—and how much they can stand to risk as they join forces to save as many children as they can.

Allina just broke my heart in so many ways. But she never gives up as she struggles to survive.

There is so much to say about this novel! I had to wait a few days before I wrote my review. I had to let this one marinate.

Yes, I knew this occurred. But it is still hard to understand how this COULD have occurred. The author really takes you through some of the outcomes of this method used by the Germans. I really do not think I knew what they actually did to these children as babies. I knew they had homes for women to have babies for the Reich but I didn’t quite fathom the child care system. Cringeworthy!!

This is a book which will have you crying and angry all at the same time. This review still does not do this book justice. Just know…you need to read this now! Don’t wait. RUN!!!

Need an emotional read you won’t forget…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )

We meet Allina in present day and at 86 years old when her daughter brings her home from the hospital.

While her mother was resting, Katrine went upstairs to clean up what her mother had fallen on and came across a box with papers inside and with a swastika on top. Was my mother a Nazi?

When she looks up, her mother is in the doorway

Her mother decides that she needs to tell her daughter how they got to America and what she dealt with while she was in Germany.

We are taken back to 1938 when Allina‘s village is raided and all the residents were slaughtered.

A German officer saved Allina from it all, but she said she would rather have perished with everyone else than to go through what she had to go through.

The officer took her to "Hochland Home" which was the first Lebensborn facility where German women were required to have babies to German officers to make sure the “perfect” race was not wiped out.

The rules and guidelines enforced by Heinrich Himmler for the women and especially the babies and children made Allina sick. They were so strict and uncaring.

SUNFLOWER HOUSE is a heartbreaking but enlightening read where secrets were kept for years and where the reader can’t believe it happened.

A marvelous debut - wonderful research, pull-you-in writing, and some tender moments despite what was going on.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own. ( )

After the Nazi’s raid her village, Allina is taken by a high ranking SS officer to a Leensborn home. Brutalized by the Nazi’s, she is fearful of everyone around her. Put into service as a nurse, she wonders why half of the children are left disabled by the Nazi’s parenting techniques.

I have to admit that I didn’t love this book. The passage of time did not really work, and took away from the growth and development of the characters. Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend. ( )

I was hooked from the start as the story opens in Summer 2006 in Ramsey, N.J., and a 2 a.m. call is answered by Katherine. It’s the hospital letting her know her 86-year-old mother was in the ER—with a sprained wrist and a bump on her head. Katherine was upset, but her mom was a hurricane of a woman; she would recover quickly. Katherine was learning how to mother her mother. It was hard

Katrine discovers something unexpected in her mother's bedroom closet. Katherine learns about the Sunflower House scenario for the first time. Katrine begs her mother, Allina, to explain her unusual upbringing. When she does expound, there is a lot to unfold. Katrine now needs to make sense of what she has learned.

In another timeline, the author shows Allina as a heroic young lady who has the courage to fight for what is right in relation to the WWII Nazi baby factory. Warning: There is a brief rape scene featuring a young girl and a Nazi. Babies are ignored and abused, living in deplorable conditions. I’ve read many WWII books, but I'd never heard of "baby factories" until reading this historical novel.

This story is based on true events. The author describes how she learned about the Sunflower House in the author’s notes: "Why a novel about the SS Lebensborn program? Once I learned about facilities like Hochland Home, I couldn’t get them out of my head.” Hitler was trying to create a master race.”

“Homes started out as havens for unwed mothers who gave their babies to “good Nazi families.” Not realizing there was something much more sinister afoot. “

This novel takes a different approach by telling the story of Germans who disagreed with what the Reich sought. However, there is a twist in this intense story. Set in Nazi Germany, the terror is mixed with moments of tenderness as Allina and Karl fight together to help the children. They were aware of the risk that they were putting themselves in, but they continued to fight for the innocent ones, their beliefs, and their love. This is a must read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/ ( )

The Sunflower House is an incredible debut novel that brings to light the Nazi Lebensborn Program in which women are sent to homes to give birth and also to meet and mate with German soldiers in an effort to propagate pure-born German children.

Some children remained with the mothers, others were adopted out and any with defects were sent away to a likely unfortunate end. I had heard of these homes, but this is the first detailed account I have read about what went on in the homes.

The main character, Allina ends up being sent to one such home after her village was raided and many of her neighbors and family members were murdered by Nazi soldiers. She was lucky to be saved due to her youth and appearance.

While at the home, Allina recovers from the physical and emotional trauma from the raid and eventually meets a high-ranking officer. The two become drawn to each other and after a time build enough trust to reveal their secrets and their desire to work against the Nazi regime in order to save the children.

I loved reading about this strong German woman and her brave officer. While the beginning of the story was harrowing, the rest of the story was predominately set in the home with the children and finally a tension-filled ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to rad an advance copy. I am happy to recommend this to other readers. I really enjoyed the book. ( )