The Wartime Affair by Victoria Cornwall

A love that dares to hope when everything seems lost.

Germany, 1945. Elsa Kalbach was once the perfect daughter — loyal, obedient and proud to serve her country. But years of lies and fear have opened her eyes to the terrible cost of blind obedience.

As the Russian Army advances, Elsa flees her ruined hometown with an abandoned Jewish child in her care — and no one left to trust.

When she discovers a wounded British soldier hiding in a barn, she knows she should turn him in. His uniform makes him her enemy.

Instead, Sam becomes the only one she can trust as they seek safety away from the frontlines.

As Elsa and Sam travel across a land torn apart by war, a fragile bond begins to grow — one that defies everything Elsa was taught to believe.

And when the guns finally begin to fall silent, Elsa and Sam must decide whether their love can survive the wreckage of all they’ve lost.

I’m absolutely thrilled to be sharing my thoughts on The Wartime Affair, the stunning new release from Victoria Cornwall, published by ChocLit on 19 February 2026.

This is the third novel in Victoria Cornwall’s Love In War series of stand alone historical romances. All three books, The Paris Affair, The Cornish Affair and The Wartime Affair are available on KindleUnlimited now.

I’m delighted to be kicking off day one of the blog tour, hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours — check out the Tour Schedule for more thoughts on this historical fiction! You will also find reviews and details of Victoria Cornwall’s other novels on Goodreads. The Wartime Affair by Victoria Cornwall is available on Amazon and from all good bookshops from today!

Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours, NetGalley, and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review an early release of the digital book and I willingly share my thoughts below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Victoria Cornwall

Following a career in nursing, a change in profession finally provided Victoria Cornwall the time to write. Her books have subsequently reached the finals of the NEW TALENT AWARD at the Festival of Romantic Fiction, the RNA’s JOAN HESSAYON AWARD, the 2021 RNA’s Goldsboro Books HISTORICAL ROMANTIC NOVEL AWARD and have twice been nominated for the RONE Best Indie or Small Published Book Award by InD’tale magazine.

Victoria grew up on a farm in Cornwall and can trace her Cornish roots as far back as the 18th century. It is this background and heritage which is the inspiration for her Cornish based novels. She is married, has two grown up children and likes to read and write historical romance with a strong background story, but at its heart is the unmistakable emotion, even pain, of loving someone

Instagram @victoria_cornwallx

Threads @victoria_cornwallx

Website www.victoriacornwall.com

MY REVIEW:

**Compassion Over Conditioning: Why The Wartime Affair Captivated Me**

From the very first pages, The Wartime Affair completely swept me away. Set in Germany in 1945 as the war draws to its devastating close, this is a story that gently yet powerfully immerses the reader in a world fractured by fear, loss and shifting loyalties.

Elsa Kalbach is such a compelling protagonist. Once the model of obedience and patriotic pride, she is now a young woman forced to confront the consequences of everything she was raised to believe. Her internal conflict feels authentic and deeply human. The atmosphere of distrust — between nations, between strangers, even within oneself — is beautifully portrayed and keeps a constant, subtle tension running through the story.

When Elsa chooses compassion over conditioning by protecting an abandoned Jewish child and later helping a wounded British soldier, Sam, the emotional stakes rise even higher. Their relationship develops with a believable fragility. Nothing feels rushed or forced; instead, the bond that grows between them is tender, cautious and utterly captivating.

The pacing is perfectly judged. The plot moves steadily, ensuring I never felt lost or disconnected — I was right there beside them, feeling every moment of uncertainty and hope. The wartime setting is vivid without ever overwhelming the human story at its heart. It’s the emotional journey that truly shines.

I’ll be honest — historical fiction isn’t always my first choice. However, I am increasingly drawn to the different styles of storytelling within the genre, and this novel is a wonderful example of why. It blends history and romance so seamlessly that even readers who don’t usually gravitate toward wartime fiction (like me!) will find themselves completely absorbed.

The Wartime Affair is a beautifully written, moving and hopeful story about love daring to exist in the darkest of times. It’s about courage, redemption and choosing humanity when everything around you says otherwise.

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#BookTour #BookReview

See About My Reviews and Review FAQ for full star rating explanations and review guidelines. This review may also appear on my social media channels and selected book platforms. All links were correct at the time of publication. Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley, thanks to Joffe Books and Zooloo’s Book Tours. This review reflects my own reading experience. This review is original content. Please credit and link back if you wish to quote.
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