Historical Fiction

When We Were Enemies: A Novel

When We Were Enemies: A Novel

  • Downloads：7730
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2023-12-21 07:22:10
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Emily Bleeker
  • ISBN：1491556692
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Summary

Two women， generations apart， in the spotlight。 A powerful novel about family secrets， devastating choices， and hope for the future by the bestselling author of When I’m Gone。

Camera-shy Elise Branson is different from the other women in her matriline。 Her mother is an award-winning actress。 Her late grandmother， Vivian Snow， is a beloved Hollywood icon。 But when Elise’s upcoming wedding coincides with a documentary being made about Vivian， Elise can’t escape the camera’s gaze。 And even in death， neither can her grandmother。

It’s 1943 when Vivian， a small-town Indiana girl， lends her home front support to the war effort。 As a translator in the nearby Italian POW camp， she’s invaluable。 As a celebrated singer for the USO， she lifts men’s spirits and falls in love with a soldier。 But behind this all-American love story is a shocking secret—one vital to keep buried if Vivian is to achieve the fame and fortune she covets。

For Elise and Vivian， what’s hidden—and what’s exposed—threatens to unravel their lives。 The heart-wrenching choices they must make will change them both forever。

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Reviews

Susan ，

I really enjoyed reading this story！ Yay， I’ve found a new author to read！！！

Judy ，

Great ReadI looked forward again and again to picking this book up to read。 I’m not a big dual timeline fan but this flowed so well。

Lesley Christien ，

Interesting generational storyFame fortune and misfortune that ends in semi romantic movie style。Not bad but also not my favorite。 The characters in the past were more interesting。

Reader ，

I want to read

Joanpvb ，

I like books that span different periods of time especially with related characters。 This is the first story I’ve read about Italian POWs and I found it very interesting。 I liked the two main characters and empathized with them。

Sharon ，

Thank you to Netgalley， the publisher and the author， for an ARC of this book， in exchange for an honest review。"When We Were Enemies" by Emily Bleeker was an addictive & interesting story that pulled me in right away & didn't let me go until its final page。I enjoyed the characters， storyline & the author's writing style。 I liked how the author told the story by alternating between Elise in the present & Vivian in the 1940's。 I would definitely read another book by Ms。 Bleeker。 Thank you to Netgalley， the publisher and the author， for an ARC of this book， in exchange for an honest review。"When We Were Enemies" by Emily Bleeker was an addictive & interesting story that pulled me in right away & didn't let me go until its final page。I enjoyed the characters， storyline & the author's writing style。 I liked how the author told the story by alternating between Elise in the present & Vivian in the 1940's。 I would definitely read another book by Ms。 Bleeker。 。。。more

Becky Clay ，

A very unexpected and delightful read！ I love historical fiction， however really do not enjoy WWII era historical fiction。 That seems to be the most popular type of HF lately， and I've not had a good read in a long time that I've been engulfed in。This story is back and forth between 79 years， from a Grandmother's story line back to her Grandaughters story line in present day。 She uncovers family secrets， and connects with her grandmother in her hometown in central Indiana。 There are several plot A very unexpected and delightful read！ I love historical fiction， however really do not enjoy WWII era historical fiction。 That seems to be the most popular type of HF lately， and I've not had a good read in a long time that I've been engulfed in。This story is back and forth between 79 years， from a Grandmother's story line back to her Grandaughters story line in present day。 She uncovers family secrets， and connects with her grandmother in her hometown in central Indiana。 There are several plot holes that I was thinking "alright。。。that could have easily been avoided by doing XYZ" which seemed obvious to me， the reader， none the less， I really enjoyed this book。 There are some instances of domestic abuse that I was not aware were in here， and it's very descriptive， so I think it would be good to include that for anyone wanting to avoid that aspect。 This is a must read--I loved this book。 。。。more

Cara ，

Even though it’s a simple story and you know from the beginning how it’s not going to end—or at least， you hope it’s not！— I couldn’t put this down。

Michelle Smith ，

Very well written， this dual timeline novel pulled me right in and kept me turning the pages。 Both timelines are compelling （although I personally found Elise’s timeline to be very frustrating in many parts）， and grandmother and granddaughter both are sympathetic characters。 Regarding Vivian’s timeline - the setting of a POW camp for Italian soldiers during WWII on US grounds certainly added a new perspective to WWII historical fiction。 I read this one with continued curiosity about what would h Very well written， this dual timeline novel pulled me right in and kept me turning the pages。 Both timelines are compelling （although I personally found Elise’s timeline to be very frustrating in many parts）， and grandmother and granddaughter both are sympathetic characters。 Regarding Vivian’s timeline - the setting of a POW camp for Italian soldiers during WWII on US grounds certainly added a new perspective to WWII historical fiction。 I read this one with continued curiosity about what would happen。 It was my first time reading a story by Ms Bleeker and it definitely won’t be the last。 Recommended！Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC 。。。more

Carol Filipow Pigg ，

Born and raised in Indiana。 Never knew this history。 So， I diverted and looked up the camp。 The book was interesting in that historical context。 However， it seemed a bit long to me。

Kelly Stacey ，

Not What I’d Hoped The only reason this book got a second star is because I was interested enough to finish。 Good enough premise， but hackneyed writing。 The twist at the end was not a surprise。I’m not really a romance reader， so my apologies if the review seems harsh。 I really was expecting something completely different。

Karen A Berg ，

While I liked the story line and the two time lines， I was so disappointed with the author using the F bomb and also Gods name in vain。。。。 Not liking that。 Not sure why authors seem to think that the F-bomb and bad language enhances the story。 Wish I could have given it 5 stars。。。

Sylwia ，

I thought this book could be great， but I kept rolling my eyes a lot。

Susan ，

easy read。。nice story Liked the authors clear and descriptive style。 Interesting characters…quickly loved some and disliked others…somewhat predictable ending。 Just a nice story。 And an enjoyable read。

Aloma Arp ，

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer。”How much do we know of our parents and grandparents ？ And how much do we really know of ourselves？ Are we just a reflection of our memories！ Do we act and react only as expected of us。 All these questions are an integral part of this fascinating story。 Jumping back and forth from 1943 to today tells a story of three women who weave their episodes of life together。 Women of great fame that work hard to live their dreams。 Love， desire and passion r “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer。”How much do we know of our parents and grandparents ？ And how much do we really know of ourselves？ Are we just a reflection of our memories！ Do we act and react only as expected of us。 All these questions are an integral part of this fascinating story。 Jumping back and forth from 1943 to today tells a story of three women who weave their episodes of life together。 Women of great fame that work hard to live their dreams。 Love， desire and passion regalling their lives and the ones they love。 Life is never all bad no matter what。 。。。more

Diana ，

I found this book very uninteresting。 Tedious and difficult to follow。

Sharon M ，

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Emily Bleeker - 4。5 stars！Elise Branson is somewhat of an anomaly in her family。 Both her mother and grandmother were famous actors in their time， but Elise prefers to be more anonymous and definitely not in front of the camera。 But when her mother's latest boyfriend wants to do a documentary about her grandmother's time working at a POW camp in Indiana， she gets forced into h Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Emily Bleeker - 4。5 stars！Elise Branson is somewhat of an anomaly in her family。 Both her mother and grandmother were famous actors in their time， but Elise prefers to be more anonymous and definitely not in front of the camera。 But when her mother's latest boyfriend wants to do a documentary about her grandmother's time working at a POW camp in Indiana， she gets forced into having her wedding there at a small chapel on the base。 But secrets may come out that no one wants made public。This book is set in two different time periods。 Vivian is Elise's grandmother， and we learn of her time working at the camp where Italian prisoners are being held。 She ends up being an interpreter and also singing and hostessing at the local USO club。 I had no clue that there was a POW camp in Indiana， so this was very interesting。 Both timelines had similar threads and were both intriguing - I also liked the Catholic ties going throughout the family in different ways。 Great book！ 。。。more

Nona Williams ，

I chose to read this book among those offered in the First Reads and， I think， it might be classified as YA。 It was a very light read。 The protagonist disliked the unkind ways her mother manipulated her， but she did nothing to improve the relationship。 It was frustrating to read about her continued resentment toward her mother while she cobtinuec to enable that type of relationship。

Carole ，

Meh

Kristen M ，

A different view of WWIiFew historical fiction novels focus on the US home front or the Italian POW camps in the US。 Vivian is a first-generation Italian-American girl caught between her family's traditions and expectations， US fear of immigrants， and her own dreams of stardom。 Like many girls she volunteers with the USO as a hostess and makes a little extra money singing while she dreams of being a famous singer and actress。 We watch her struggle between pursuing those dreams and caring for her A different view of WWIiFew historical fiction novels focus on the US home front or the Italian POW camps in the US。 Vivian is a first-generation Italian-American girl caught between her family's traditions and expectations， US fear of immigrants， and her own dreams of stardom。 Like many girls she volunteers with the USO as a hostess and makes a little extra money singing while she dreams of being a famous singer and actress。 We watch her struggle between pursuing those dreams and caring for her family as tradition expects of her。 Along the way she also finds herself torn between 2 men。The story is told in dual POV - Vivian and her grand-daughter Elise who also struggles between familial duties and her own dreams。 Elis， while uncovering her grandmother's story， will also uncover her own。I didn't love the ending， it felt a bit rushed， but overall this was an engaging story that keep me turning pages eager to see what happened next。 。。。more

Awes ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I want to read

Janet Peaslee ，

Excellent descriptions and prose in this book。 I also learned a lot about POW camps during WWII in Indiana。 Loved the main character "Vivian" in the past and also the present day Elise。 This would make a great mini series。 I couldn't put it down。 Excellent descriptions and prose in this book。 I also learned a lot about POW camps during WWII in Indiana。 Loved the main character "Vivian" in the past and also the present day Elise。 This would make a great mini series。 I couldn't put it down。 。。。more

Bethany ，

This was a fun， easy， relatively engaging read。 But I hated the ending。 And the "present" story as a whole was pretty annoying and silly。 This was a fun， easy， relatively engaging read。 But I hated the ending。 And the "present" story as a whole was pretty annoying and silly。 。。。more

John Kiss ，

📚 Hey bookworms！ 🐛 Just finished Emily Bleeker's "When We Were Enemies，" and OMG， let me spill the tea ☕️ on this historical fiction masterpiece！So， imagine a camera-shy gal named Elise， who gets dragged into the spotlight because her Grammy， Vivian Snow， was a 1940s Hollywood icon 🎥。 Cue the drama and lights， people！ 🌟 But here's the twist - Vivian's not just a singer for the USO; she's got some scandalous secrets that could rival a Netflix series！ 🤯The story flips between Elise's awkward prese 📚 Hey bookworms！ 🐛 Just finished Emily Bleeker's "When We Were Enemies，" and OMG， let me spill the tea ☕️ on this historical fiction masterpiece！So， imagine a camera-shy gal named Elise， who gets dragged into the spotlight because her Grammy， Vivian Snow， was a 1940s Hollywood icon 🎥。 Cue the drama and lights， people！ 🌟 But here's the twist - Vivian's not just a singer for the USO; she's got some scandalous secrets that could rival a Netflix series！ 🤯The story flips between Elise's awkward present-day situation and Vivian's wartime escapades， creating a juicy dual timeline。 🔄 Bleeker's storytelling is like a rollercoaster – you're laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next。 😂😢Now， let's talk characters。 Elise is all "no cameras， please，" but life has other plans。 🚫📸 And Vivian？ She's a boss babe with a side of mystery。 💃 Secrets， choices， and a sprinkle of forbidden love – it's like a historical soap opera， y'all！What sets this book apart？ A peek into an American POW camp for Italians during WWII。 🏕️🇮🇹 Who knew？ The details are so vivid; you'll feel like you've time-traveled to the '40s。 🕰️As a history-loving Jew from Israel， I couldn't help but appreciate the author's knack for bringing diverse perspectives into the mix。 👏🌍 It's not just a war story; it's a feels trip through generations。Being a historical fiction buff， this book hit me right in the writer's block！ ✍️💥 It's like a crash course in blending fact with fiction。 Take notes， fellow aspiring authors！ 📝🤓In a nutshell， "When We Were Enemies" is a page-turner with a dash of glam， a sprinkle of secrets， and a whole lot of heart。 💖 If you're into historical drama served with a side of sass， grab this book ASAP！ 📖🔥#BookReview #HistoricalFictionFun #PageTurnerAlert 🌈 。。。more

Nancy Law ，

Good readEnjoyed the read - so much truth in within the fiction。 War is ugly and beautiful stories did happen during those times。

Megan ，

There was a lot here。 Two stories running side by side。 The back and forth bogged things down a bit for me。

Carol AuClair ，

Engrossing Story！Very few books keep me reading past the hour I want to close my eyes for the night。 This book is one of those。 The characters draw you in and make you care。 The story line intrigues and gives you a hunger to know what will happen next。 A very good read！

Pam Herrmann ，

This book rotated chapters from the grandma Vivian Snow "Nonna" to the granddaughter Elise。 Vivian's family came from Italy and moved to the US。 She was hired at a military base and was able to do translations for the Italian Prisoners of War。 She had some interactions that forever changed her life。Elise was engaged to be married。 She was extremely hurt to find out that her mother and fiance used her to get what they wanted。 What I found a little over the top is both of them had feelings for the This book rotated chapters from the grandma Vivian Snow "Nonna" to the granddaughter Elise。 Vivian's family came from Italy and moved to the US。 She was hired at a military base and was able to do translations for the Italian Prisoners of War。 She had some interactions that forever changed her life。Elise was engaged to be married。 She was extremely hurt to find out that her mother and fiance used her to get what they wanted。 What I found a little over the top is both of them had feelings for their priest。 。。。more

Dottie ，

Read this for a book club。 Not my genre， I also don't watch Hallmark movies。 The twist in the story was very low key， and anticlimactic。 Read this for a book club。 Not my genre， I also don't watch Hallmark movies。 The twist in the story was very low key， and anticlimactic。 。。。more

Lesley ，

🎧4⭐️Available on KU and listenI’ve listened to a couple of others by this author and loved them （When I’m Gone， and What it Seems） so was keen to try another。 I had the audiobook narrated by Carlotta Brentan and Eva Kaminsky I liked the inclusion of a little Italian。 My favourite narrated character was Vivian。 I felt Elise seemed a little offish in attitude。 This is a gentle family saga told by two women two generations apart。 Vivian Snow is the past thread set during the war， she is a translato 🎧4⭐️Available on KU and listenI’ve listened to a couple of others by this author and loved them （When I’m Gone， and What it Seems） so was keen to try another。 I had the audiobook narrated by Carlotta Brentan and Eva Kaminsky I liked the inclusion of a little Italian。 My favourite narrated character was Vivian。 I felt Elise seemed a little offish in attitude。 This is a gentle family saga told by two women two generations apart。 Vivian Snow is the past thread set during the war， she is a translator in the Italian POW camp， she goes on to become a Hollywood icon， her grand daughter Elise doesn’t follow in the acting tradition preferring a quieter life。 Her upcoming wedding coincides with a documentary about her grandmother which she is fronting， and threatening to expose family secrets。 Both women are likeable enough。 The storyline is ok， a little on the slow side， it’s one to relax and settle into。 The common theme is forbidden love。 It works well having the two time frames， I was more invested in the earlier time line， I felt it had more interest， I would have liked it to be explored more。 Unless I zoned out and missed something I didn’t feel that everything was tied together in this time line， and was a bit disappointed with one aspect of it。 It’s an easy predictable feel good with a light romance element。 It does have a few twists， but nothing that’s going to shake your world。 A pleasant palate cleanser before I delve back into a dark thriller。 It’s one I feel I enjoyed more with the audiobook narration than I would have if I’d read it， so please bear that in mind with my review。 I much preferred my other listens by this author。 。。。more

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    when we were enemies a novel

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=When We Were Enemies: A Novel

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=When We Were Enemies: A Novel&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,When We Were Enemies: A Novel&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0