For Such a Time

For Such a Time is a historical romance novel set during World War II in 1944 Czechoslovakia. A Jewish woman named Hadassah Benjamin narrowly escapes death and assumes a false identity while working as a secretary at a Nazi transit camp. The story centers on the complex relationship between Hadassah and SS Colonel Aric von Schmidt, who runs the camp. Hadassah must maintain her disguise while navigating the dangerous politics and daily operations of the camp system. The novel draws inspiration from the biblical Book of Esther, paralleling that ancient story of a Jewish woman who must hide her identity to save her people. The setting encompasses the brutal realities of the Holocaust, including life in the camps and the broader Nazi occupation. This controversial debut novel explores themes of faith, identity, and moral choices in extreme circumstances. The narrative raises questions about survival, redemption, and the nature of human connection in the context of historical atrocity.

Reader reactions center heavily on the book's premise of a Holocaust romance between a Jewish prisoner and a Nazi officer. Many view this as deeply problematic and offensive. Readers who gave positive reviews cited: - Strong writing and pacing - Historical research and detail - The redemption arc - Biblical parallels to the Book of Esther Common criticisms include: - Romanticizing the Holocaust - Anti-Semitic tropes and stereotypes - Religious conversion elements - Historical inaccuracies - Minimizing Nazi atrocities On Goodreads: 3.79/5 average from 2,800+ ratings "Turns genocide into a backdrop for romance" - 1-star review "Well-researched but problematic premise" - 2-star review On Amazon: 4.5/5 average from 500+ ratings "Beautiful story of sacrifice" - 5-star review "Offensive to Holocaust survivors" - 1-star review The book generated significant controversy in romance and Jewish reading communities when released in 2014.

The Plum Tree by Jennifer Wisner A German woman risks her life to protect her Jewish boyfriend in Nazi Germany during WWII.

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons A Red Army soldier and a young woman fall in love during the siege of Leningrad in WWII.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Two French sisters take different paths of resistance during the Nazi occupation of France.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys Four refugees cross paths as they flee through Prussia toward freedom in the final months of WWII.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak A foster girl in Nazi Germany steals books and shares them with others, including the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

★ The book draws inspiration from the biblical story of Esther, mirroring the tale of a Jewish woman who must hide her identity to save her people, making it a modern retelling of the ancient narrative. ★ The Theresienstadt transit camp, where much of the novel is set, was used by the Nazis as a "show camp" to deceive the Red Cross and other international observers about the true nature of their concentration camps. ★ Author Kate Breslin worked as a bookseller for many years before pursuing her writing career, and "For Such a Time" was her debut novel, published in 2014. ★ The book received multiple award nominations, including the 2015 Christy Award for First Novel and the 2015 Carol Award from the American Christian Fiction Writers. ★ The novel's title "For Such a Time" is taken directly from the Book of Esther 4:14: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"