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Only the Brave

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A powerful new novel from Danielle Steel, whose countless #1 New York Times bestselling novels have made her one of America’s favorite storytellers.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2024

About the author

Danielle Steel

849 books14.8k followers
Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

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5 stars
2,653 (50%)
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3 stars
706 (13%)
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74 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
Profile Image for Ron Charles.
1,085 reviews49.5k followers
April 23, 2024
In 1949, when Danielle Steel was just a toddler, Theodor Adorno declared that “to write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric.”

It took her a while, but Steel has proved Adorno’s point. Not that there’s anything poetic about her new Holocaust novel, “Only the Brave,” but using the Final Solution as the setting for a sentimental melodrama is profoundly unseemly. It’s not good for the Jews. It’s not good for anybody.

But the publicity machine grinds on.

Half a century ago, Steel published her first book, “Going Home,” and over the decades she’s become one of the best-selling novelists in the world, with more than a billion copies in print. Perhaps no other writer is so widely read and so rarely reviewed. It’s a confirmed blind spot in our critical landscape: Unlike music, movie and TV reviewers, book reviewers pride themselves on avoiding what most people are consuming. Sometimes, I feel guilty about this. At the moment, I feel grateful.

By my count, “Only the Brave” is Steel’s 152nd novel, but her publicist tells me, “It is closer to her 170th.” Apparently, the actual number can only be guessed at in the same way the total mass of dark matter in the universe is estimated by how it bends light. With some certainty, though, we can determine that “Only the Brave” is one of seven titles Steel plans to release this year, which means that she writes a book more often than most people clean their fridge.

In the months leading up to this week’s publication, Steel’s publicist reached out repeatedly to insist that I not mention the author is a 76-year-old romance novelist. As always, we’re never ashamed of the right things.

“Only the Brave” opens in Berlin in 1937 with one of the book’s typically perplexing observations: “Even at eighteen,” Steel writes, “Sophia Alexander knew that things in Germany had changed in the past four years since the Nazis had come to power.” Yes, nothing gets by our Sophia. Somehow, after Hitler established himself as a dictator, passed the Nuremberg Laws and remilitarized the Rhineland, this savvy young woman has managed to pick up a change in the air. That weird consummation of obviousness and obliviousness quickly becomes the novel’s prevailing tone. . . .

To read the rest of this review, go to The Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/...
Profile Image for Chantal.
745 reviews671 followers
May 1, 2024
{Good}
Interesting take for a historical fiction novel revolving more around the medical side of it. As with fashion for a DS book its a little repetitive, but not a bad story.
Profile Image for Tina Loves To Read.
2,824 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2024
This is a Historical Fiction that takes place during WWII in Germany. It has been a little bit since I picked up a Historical Fiction because I just have not been in the mood to read them, but I am so glad I picked this book up. There is so much going on in this book, and it touched my heart so much. I really fell in love with all the characters in this book. The only thing I did not love about this book was the ending only because I did not want it to end. I wanted more. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
Profile Image for Shirin ≽^•⩊•^≼ t..
558 reviews92 followers
April 19, 2024
The latest book by Danielle Steel takes place in Germany during World War II, where a non-Jewish family experiences terror. Sophia works as a nurse in her father's hospital, and after her mother's death, she decides to join the convent to help children find safety secretly, something their parents couldn't do. This is heartwarming and like all war historical heartbreaking and shows the terror that war brings to everyone. The book is a short story, about 7 hours, and is engaging enough to finish in one day.

Thank you to W.F. Howes Ltd and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to Only The Brave, written by Danielle Steel and narrated by Samuel Roukin. I have given my honest review. The expected publication date for the book is April 25th, 2024.
Profile Image for Kristen Miller.
30 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2024
I have such a hard time reading any historical fiction novel and not comparing it to Kristin Hannah’s work. As a result, this just didn’t live up to my expectations of a WW2 historical fiction novel.

⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Grandma Susan.
596 reviews63 followers
May 5, 2024
It’s been decades since I’ve read a book by Danielle Steele. This one interested me because it was set during WWII. I’ve read dozens of books set during this timeframe and this story just fell flat. The plot was great, I just didn’t feel the passion and intensity normally felt in these stories. I enjoyed the characters and the ending was great. I was blessed with a free ARC, and I’m voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Terri.
97 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2023
THIS is why I continue to read Danielle Steel novels - for that gem that comes out periodically. “Only the Brave” was such a gem. Sophia Alexander is a responsible young woman coming of age in Germany at the start of the rise of Hitler. She is the daughter of a renowned surgeon who operates his own surgical center in Berlin. He operates on those in the high commands of the German military as well as the smallest sick Jewish child. As a member of the Aryan race, he has enjoyed prosperity while Sophia looks after her sick mother and frivolous younger sister. The reader gets to see the rise of the Third Reich through Sophia’s eyes and experience the atrocities of Hitler to Jews and gentiles alike.
Sophia decides that she wants to join the convent and follow in the steps of her hero, Edith Stein, a woman who was born Jewish, but entered the convent as a nun who opposed the Nazis. The majority of the story follows Sophia as she uses her calling to help the anti-Nazi movement while the world she has known crumbles around her. The descriptions and terror are keenly felt and I found myself tearing up and actively crying quite a few times and yet, I couldn’t put this book down. Using one of my most hated DS words, it’s one of her most “important” works. I could go off on a political rant, but suffice it to say, read this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Books for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Profile Image for Dianne.
1,701 reviews135 followers
April 5, 2024
3.5 Stars
This is not a romance, not in the truest sense. Danielle Steel is generally known for her romances, but don't expect any in-depth romance with this novel. It is all about surviving the war. That is not to say that there is not a happy ending though.

I am of two differing minds about this book. It was a wonderful historical fiction book. I haven't read anything about WWII as intense and in-depth as this book in a long time. Some parts of this book made my stomach churn and really played on my emotions. It shows what a great writer Danielle Steel can be.

On the other hand, this book was very repetitious, sometimes even on the same page. Parts were overly dragged out, which is surprising for a book of this length.

It is worth the read if you can overlook the few flaws.

*ARC Supplied by the publisher Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House, the author, and NetGalley.



Profile Image for Ivy Kaprow.
630 reviews32 followers
April 28, 2024
1.5- Danielle Steel is one of the most prolific authors in recent times and while I’ve never read anything by her before I have heard how popular she is. When I saw she had a new novel, and a historical fiction one at that, I jumped at the chance to read it. If I had to sum up one word to describe this book it would be “blah”. I can only assume this was ghostwritten under Ms. Steel’s name since there is no way an author as seasoned as she is could have produced such drivel.
This starts at the beginning of WW2 and follows the Alexander family through the tragedy of the death of matriarch, Monika, leaving behind her husband, surgeon Thomas, and her two daughters, 16 year old Sophia and 14 year old Theresa. Everyone handles her death differently- Thomas throws himself into his work, taking care of several top officers in the German army. Sophia finds comfort and solace with the nuns in the local convent and the resistance meetings she attends twice weekly, and Theresa finds comfort in the arms of Heinrich, the man whom she loves. As Hitler rises to power Theresa and Heinrich discover he’s a quarter Jewish, Thomas is asked by the top officers of the Reich to help with their cleansing program to rid the country of inferior races, and Sophia joins the convent. Over the next four years Sophia faces tragedy, but rises to the challenge of surviving and helping others along the way.
This could have been great, but it was so boring. I felt like I was reading something written by someone who had to write a historical fiction story for a class- and if it was ghostwritten then perhaps it was, though if it was Ms. Steel shouldn’t use this writer again.
Between all of the repetitiveness and the inconsistency of plot lines I can only hope that this advanced copy was put on NetGalley before an editor saw it. Even so, given Ms. Steel’s expertise in writing I’m shocked even her advanced copy would have so many errors. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for an advanced copy of this. Only the Brave hits the shelves on April 30th.
67 reviews
March 22, 2024
Danielle Steel’s, Only the Brave, is so much more than a romance set against the backdrop of WWII. She deftly depicts the chaos and danger in Germany as the Nazis rose in power as told through the eyes of Sophie, a skilled nurse and devout Catholic who is on the cusp of taking her final vows to become a nun just before she is arrested as an enemy of the state and sent to a concentration camp. Through Sophie, her father, and her sister, we see different experiences of the war and the destruction that the Nazi zealotry waged as they savaged their way through Europe. Through Sophie’s harrowing experience of escape and recovery, she meets an injured American pilot whom she nurses back to health. This chance meeting and the time spent in recuperation change the trajectory of both their lives and portray grace and bravery during a time of madness and murder. The book does end rather abruptly and I would have liked a little more massaging of the circumstances around Sophie’s choice, but overall I thought it was a good, compelling story. Only the Brave provides a snapshot of the horror and atrocities from that time in the world’s history and a prescient reminder not to let history repeat itself.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for Erica.
4 reviews5 followers
May 8, 2024
Banal. Awful, when compared to good, well researched WW2 novels with attention to character, plot, and voice! My best impression of this writing is Flounder from The Little Mermaid “This is this, that is that, blah blah blah”.

Apparently the characters have full precognition of everything simultaneously happening during the holocaust, to an unbelievable extent. To them there is no propaganda involved, just the actual events as we now know them. They are all beautiful and rich, non-party, well taken care of, even the Jewish-married couple that flees. So obviously believable, right?

So unrealistic.

I could not finish past 30%. The voice and storytelling was all wrong.
Profile Image for Annie Heredia-brown.
71 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2024
I love Danielle Steel. Starting from the very first book I read of hers which was Palomino. Probably around 30 years ago.

This book did not seem like it was written by Danielle Steel. The story was heartbreaking, as all Nazi era books are. But it was extremely repetitive. Especially in the beginning. There are only so many times that we can be told that Sophia learned a lot by working closely with her very talented surgeon father. There was also a mixup in the naming of Theresa’s children. It just did not seem like something Danielle Steel would mess up on.

I will still continue to read her books, but I hope this isn’t a sign of what’s in store.
Profile Image for Terry.
488 reviews7 followers
June 26, 2024
I actually enjoyed this latest novel by Danielle Steel. It’s historical fiction about WWII and the Holocaust. A young woman becomes a nurse and works with her father, a well known surgeon. She decides to enter a convent and become a nun. During the war, her father is accused of being a traitor and later they take her away as a traitor and put her in a concentration camp. Good story with several twists and turns.
Profile Image for SDBT.
49 reviews
January 11, 2024
Only the Brave by Danielle Steele has a publication date of April 30, 2024. Net Galley gifted me an ARC in return for a review.

As everyone knows, Danielle Steele publishes multiple books per year. This is yet another Steele book which has hit the mark. Although the beginning of the book is a bit redundant at times I would encourage the reader to continue reading as a story begins to develop that is a twist on the typical WWII plot. Only the Brave is based in Germany, during WWIl, with the main character, a nurse, battling the effects of war, while still being compassionate. After nursing under her father’s surgical expertise, Sophia is called to become a nun while still nursing others. Her father’s refusal to murder innocents under Hitler’s reign places a target on both of them. Sophia stays strong by thinking of her sister and her family who were able to escape to Switzerland with Sophia’s help. As the war continues, Sophia’s life takes some twists and turns that put her to the test time after time. Sophia proves that she is stronger than she ever thought and in the end deserves happiness.

Thanks again NetGalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Kylie.
368 reviews4 followers
January 13, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. I oftentimes fine DS books repeat themselves so much and don’t provoke much thought. This book was a rare exception. This was a wonderful story following Sophia through her WW2 journey, and while it was hard to read at times, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
997 reviews11 followers
May 21, 2024
This is a historical novel set during World War II in Germany. Sophia is a nurse and becomes a nun. After spending time in the concentration camp, she and some friends escape and she continues to help Jewish people to safety. I enjoyed the book and was very happy with the ending.
Profile Image for Irene.
985 reviews13 followers
November 27, 2023
Only the Brave by Danielle Steel is one of the best historical fiction novel, I have read. Sophie is a delightful and inspiring heroine. Her commitment to helping others even in the worst of times is truly remarkable. Ms Steel touches on the horrors of the times which a deft hand that makes the reader feel the terror and heartbreak rather than describing them in lurid detail. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Ms. Steel, publisher, Random House Publishing Group--Ballantine, and NetGalley for opportunity for preview the book.
Profile Image for Sharon Huether.
1,605 reviews26 followers
June 9, 2024
This book was not the typical book for Danielle Steel.
The war years in Germany sent Sophie Alexandra, a nurse to Ravens brook, Because her father a surgeon would not euthanize Jews. He died in Prison.
After many months Sophie and four other woman escaped with Sophie organizing the whole thing.
Sophie had joined a convent and had not taken her final vows.
She helped rescue an American Officer when he was caught by his parachute up in a tree. He broke
his ankle....Sophie got to know him while nursing him back to health.
After seeing a sign of a red bird, she decided to live her life with the American Officer .
Profile Image for Rhea.
43 reviews
May 7, 2024
The happiness I felt during those last 40 pages is truly unmatched.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tabitha.
13 reviews
December 14, 2023
Only The Brave was actually my first book I've read by Danielle Steel and it did not disappoint!!

The book follows Sophia from the start of WW2 with all of the events she experiences.
This novel is heartbreaking, inspiring and beautifully written. I truly felt like I was seeing Sophia's life during WW2.
I loved this book and will recommend it to any that loves historical fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House publishing group for the opportunity to have this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for Craig / Phil.
1,703 reviews91 followers
July 11, 2024
Thank you Pan Macmillan for sending us a copy to read and review.
Danielle Steel can still come up with an engaging premise but as usual the writing needs more attention and substance but this latest book from the prolific author is a decent historical fiction read.
While it’s still out there and slightly above exaggeration and, at times, a little unbelievable, in the end I didn’t mind my time spent with this tale.
Sophia Alexander has always wanted to look after others.
Her father, a respected doctor and her sister, wanting nothing more than marriage and child, have been her priority.
As the war rages, Sophia is drawn into the world of helping Jewish people flee.
But it gets more horrific as time goes on, so she must aid her calling to join a convent.
Not long after, Sophie is arrested and sent to a concentration camp.
Her only chance of survival is escape.
Then she meets an injured airman and helps him to heal while fighting her own desires.
Can Sophia find true love or is the church her calling…..
Only The Brave ventures into the horrors of World War Two and the melodrama with one determined heroine.
There’s the usual Steel anecdotes, romance, action, drama, uncertainty, courage, far fetched and of course the standard happy ending.
Enjoy one of the better Danielle books.
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,039 reviews100 followers
June 9, 2024
It was an incredible read that tore at my heart over and over. Sophia Alexander is a nurse at her father's hospital when the war starts. Her sister Teresa is married to a close friend to the Nazi Regime and lives in a lap of luxury until they find out Heinrich is a quarter Jewish and they have to smuggle them off to Switzerland During this, Sophia decides she wants to commit to becoming a nun. Her dad is saddened but gives his blessings anyway. While she is living at the convent, her Das is taken by Nazi soldiers for war crimes. Sophia is working with the resistance to try to save children whenever she can.
This was such an amazing novel that depicted the plight of all people during WWII. I was mesmerized by the hardships Sophia and her family faced during the war. Some instances were shocking, but others I knew about from my reading of other books. It was still, nonetheless, sad. I hope many read this and share with others so that people never forget the horrors of war.
841 reviews41 followers
November 18, 2023
I am a fan of the charming Steel books, so I was a bit startled by the heaviness of this novel taking place in WW II Germany. It’s the story of Sophia who goes through enormous change and pain during the war. Her father, a righteous doctor, is arrested and murdered when he refuses to participate in Nazi persecution and killings of undesirables. Her dream is serving her faith as a nun, so she has moved to a convent. Even there, she is not safe.

Because of her connection to him, she is brought to the infamous Ravensbruck concentration camp. She helps to engineer an escape. As a nun, she has no interest in romance, but the rescue of a downed officer makes her question her vocation.

Though I found this book compelling, I generally expect a Steel book to bring me joy, but this was disappointing.

Thank you Netgalley for this very different Danielle Steel book.
Profile Image for Melissa Smith.
183 reviews26 followers
November 16, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing group for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I have read so many Danielle Steel books over the years and she’s one of the authors who got me into reading. I loved this one. Love when she does historical fiction like Message from Nam! This one takes us on a journey with Sophia as she navigates her life in WW2 with inspirations to be a nun. It was a heartbreaking and heartwarming story at the same time. We see her do much good in the face of adversity and never lose her spirit of giving.
Profile Image for Carolyn.
2,202 reviews
April 28, 2024
If you are anticipating your usual "Danielle Steel Fix," this is not the book for you. No "Calgon, Take Me Away" moments (aging myself here) in this one. Nothing wrong with that, just not what I am accustomed to with this author. Nor something I want. If I wanted anything close to what was attempted in this book, I would reach for the masters of the particular subject matter addressed in this book: Kate Quinn or Kristin Hannah. Just my opinion.
Profile Image for Lisa Potter.
18 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2024
So good! I picked this one up needing a audiobook that I could listen to while I crocheted and I didn’t want to waste time looking. It was the second book on my Libby search and I recognized the author. I couldn’t stop listening this story is so good and so much more than I expected an accidental pick up to be
Profile Image for Ann Peachman Stewart.
888 reviews10 followers
June 13, 2024
Sophia lived a good life with her mother, father and sister. Then her mother died of tuberculosis, and Sophia decided to become a nurse. She worked alongside her surgeon father. Her younger sister married a rich man, the life she wanted, but Sophia had a heart to serve. She began the process of becoming a nun. When the war hit, her father was taken away, and eventually she was, too. Through many experiences, she learned that there is more than one way to serve.
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