The Sunflower House: A Haunting Tale of the Nazi Lebensborn Program in WWII Germany

The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri is a stunning tale set in WWII, Germany. At the heart of the novel is Allina Strauss, a young woman living an idyllic life in a small German village. Her world shatters when she discovers her Jewish heritage. Forced into a notorious Lebensborn home designed to breed children for the Reich, Allina struggles between survival and helping others trapped in the system.

Karl von Strassberg, an SS officer with hidden loyalties, becomes her unlikely ally. Their sacrificial and unforgettable romance is a small bright spot in a dark reality, proving love can endure hopeless times.

The story unfolds through multiple timelines, including 2006, when Allina’s daughter Katrine discovers a swastika-marked box revealing her mother’s past. This structure heightens suspense and sheds light on Allina’s brave choices and Karl’s covert work. While Allegri does not shy from the brutalities of the Nazi regime, hope and resilience shine on every page.

I highly recommend The Sunflower House. Allegri portrays Allina’s journey with empathy, realism, and authenticity. This remarkable debut illuminates history’s darkest corners with a steady undercurrent of hope. Five stars—I can’t recommend it enough.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.

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