Reviews via Sandra M, Reviewer
For Charlotte’s War
5/5 stars
What an amazing book I did not want to put it down from the start. I have learnt more about the war in France than I knew before and to learn that is facts embroiled with some storytelling to enhance the story was lovely. I have visited Oradour sur Glain and I was struck by the whole scene but I had not realised that this was not the village that they were told to destroy to find the German being kept prisoner. I lived for 10 years in Belgium where we could visit so many war torn areas but this book magnified my knowledge and my emotions a thousand times over.
The characters throughout are so real and their emotions were being worn on their sleeves as well as in my heart as I read. It deserves a 10 out of 5 and i shall certainly encourage as many people as I can to read this book.
I shall now look for other books by this incredibly clever author who brought the terrible scenes to life in such a manner.
This is the second book in the trilogy and it is a stand alone book. I have now ordered the first in the series and shall get the third as soon as possible.
Reviews via bluefairybugsbooks
For Charlotte’s War
5/5 stars
As with book one, I picked this up and just could not put it down. It was an ‘all in one sitting’ book for me.
Charlotte’s War follows on seamlessly from the first in the series (Girl On A Golden Pillow) and continues the story of Charlotte, now known as Freya, and her life in Nazi occupied France.
There were times when the story felt a little far fetched, could one person really fight off multiple Nazis? But, unusually for me, it wasn’t a problem. I loved all the action.
As for the characters, I feel they are all well rounded and realistic, relatable people. I quite liked Joseph in book one. I felt sorry for him being used how he was by Alice and then being kept away from his daughter. I can totally see why he drank as much as he did. But I hated him in book 2. He a nasty drunk. He’s just out for himself and doesn’t appear to care who might get hurt in the process.Charlotte is lovely. So naive in some ways, and yet also brutal and ruthless when needed. Ultimately she’s just a little girl who wants to be loved.
Jost is just… ugh. So well written!
The chapter about Oradour-Sur-Glane was heartbreaking. The author really captures how it must have felt to be there.
I love a book that can teach me something, whilst still having a story. I didn’t realise until reading this that “we” captured the enigma machine from the Germans. I had wrongly thought that Alan Turing had invented it.
Reviews via thebooknetwork.co.uk
For Girl on a Golden Pillow
“GIRL ON A GOLDEN PILLOW”
“(…) I will kill any man or beast who may threaten her. (…)”
Jost Krupp is one of the main characters in Hugo Woolley’s latest novel titled “Girl on a golden pillow”. We learn about his life from 1925, when he was 12 years old. He promised his father that he would take care of his mother while he was away. He killed a man in defence of his mother, Anna. Whether he did good or bad is unfortunately not for me to judge. How did his mother benefit from this? That’s what you’ll find out from this story.
We also have MI6 staff here.
I liked Fred’s thinking. He has a difficult task ahead of him. Will he be able to handle it?
I didn’t like Alice Barrett’s behaviour. At first, I thought she was a shy young woman. Be careful with this character, because appearances can be deceiving. She terrified me with her actions.
Another main character is Franz-Joseph Deller. A young Austrian who is currently in France. He’s a student. He works as a gardener in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Barrett. Unfortunately, the circumstances are not favourable to him. After some time, he accidentally became a spy. He collaborated with Adolf Hitler. How did he benefit from it? Was it worth it for him? I liked this character. I felt very sorry for him. He didn’t want to take part in the war. Unfortunately, the author came up with a completely different scenario for him.
Another leading character is Charlotte. She didn’t have it easy from the very beginning of her life. She was raised by her adoptive parents. Why? What happened to her biological parents? Who were they? I also liked this character. Despite the unfavourable circumstances, the girl coped quite well. Get to know her life story.
Wow. Picking up this e-book, I didn’t expect to receive such an interesting novel. I met a lot of “famous” German beasts from World War II here. Thanks to this story, I moved into the time before and after the most cruel world war. I met nice characters and people who should have been six feet underground. Fast-paced action. The plot is terrifying at times.
bluefairybug 5/5 stars
For Girl on a Golden Pillow
As soon as I received the email about this book tour, I knew I had to have a place on it. A book set in Nazi Germany/occupied France about a girl called Charlotte (I loved it even more when it turned out her name was Charlotte Joy). Is there anything that’s more me? And I’m not going to lie, I did a bit of a happy dance when I got the email to say I had a slot.
Of course, the problem with reading the synopsis of a book that sounds so utterly perfect is that there is then a huge risk that it will disappoint. But I’m delighted to say that this book did not.
From the moment I picked it up, at just past midnight, I was hooked. I read it in 2 sittings. It would have been one, but this thing called life got in the way!
Girl On A Golden Pillow is a wonderful fictional tale of friendship, love, family, death, spies and a whole lot more; set against the rise of Hitler’s Nazi party and the invasion of France. The historical elements were, more or less, accurate. Those that have been changed are explained at the end of the book.
It made me laugh, cry, and gasp out loud. It was everything I hoped for and more.
Ashjacob382
For Girl on a Golden Pillow
The Girl on A Golden Pillow is a historical fiction and the first in a Trilogy of novels titled Charlotte’s War. It takes place during key events in the run up to the second world war, portraying fictional characters in a very real setting. This particular volume is set mainly in Paris, during its Nazi occupation in 1940, but weaves a broader narrative around a generation of characters, and their dealings with military, secret intelligence and the sinister real-life figures controlling the Nazi party in wartime Germany.
Charlotte is a character brought into the world after her mother devises a scheme to absolve herself of financial obligations, leading an ultimately disastrous relationship with young Austrian soldier-to-be, Joseph. And so young Charlotte is raised in her grandmother’s parisian mansion just as a web of intrigue and deceit grows from conflicting forces on every side of the pending war. Not everybody deemed trustworthy can be judged as such, and true companionship can be found in the unlikeliest of places, as the world grows ever more dangerous.
The book’s writer, Hugo Woolley demonstrates a clear passion for his chosen subject, and writes history with a level of clarity which brings past events to the reader’s attention in a vivid fashion. Particularly striking are the moments recounting the infamous ‘Night of the Long Knives’ where key opponents to Hitler’s position of political power were rounded up and killed in cold blood. Also notably hard-hitting are the appearances of real life monstrous figures such as Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Geobbels and others in Adolph Hitler’s inner circle of power.
But more crucial to the heart and soul of the story are the fictional characters and the moral ambiguity they face when they operate within and against the villainous forces of the second world. Woolley paints a picture with all the complex nuance and drama existing in this cataclysmic historical period, and this book is highly recommended to anybody seeking to learn more about this turbulent segment of the 20th Century.
novelsandnature 5 stars
For Girl on a Golden Pillow
I was very kindly given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to @thebooknetwork.co.uk and the author for this opportunity!
Thoughts: I have always had a love of learning the history of world war 2, as well as a newfound liking of art so this book sounded absolutely wonderful. I really annoyed following Charlotte in the first half of the story, especially after having the first portion about her mother – something I think gets lost in a lot of stories about girls who grow up motherless. The second half of the story gets a lot more political and about Hitler’s rise to power which I’ll admit did lose me a little. I still enjoyed it, but I think my interest in the war did mean I enjoyed it.
I definitely would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed a historical fiction, the war or art!
Review: – Girl On A Golden Pillow by Hugo Woolley.
Rating – 5 stars
Thoughts – I’d give this book a 3.75 rating. I enjoyed the first half with Joesph and Alice and the art collection, it was really quite a thrilling read. In the second half, I felt the story started to lack with all the war and politics in relation to getting Hitler into power. But maybe that’s just because it wasn’t my cup of tea and all the technical talk I didn’t quite understand. The story intrigued me enough to want to carry on to see how it ended, but I felt the ending was a letdown. Overall, if you’re into historical fiction, art, and war, pick this one up and give it a go for yourself.
For Girl on a Golden Pillow
The Girl on the Golden Pillow was more of an interesting read than I first expected. There are a number of layers to this story which I wasn’t aware of when reading its title and looking at its cover. The above image and title actually relates to a valuable painting located in a Parisian mansion during the second world war in a country soon to be invaded by Nazis as their influence spreads with devastating effect across Europe. The book was written by Hugo Woolley, a man with a keen fascination in wartime history, and one who spares no detail in describing the complex lives of those on the ground level.
The second World War contained no end of espionage and deception and this is primarily what the story entails. The majority of its fictional characters have ulterior motives behind the faces they wear in their daily lives. Joseph is a troubled SS solider providing valuable inside knowledge to the British government. Jason is a British agent of WASP, an organisation set on making a nefarious pact with the Nazis in order to rid the world of communism, and Charlotte is a French teenage girl, forced to pose as a Swedish servant in order to prevent her Nazi captors from sending her to prison camp.
As the story of each of these characters and many more unfold, the turbulent events of wartime Paris are brought to life with staggering potency, and one which clearly depicts events happening with real time speed, in some cases, but in others over an expanse of decades. I was grateful to be provided with such a clear vision of this period in history, and the decadence, depravity and the horrors it invited should never be forgotten or undermined. I’m looking forward to reading the next volume of this unfolding tale, and to fill gaps in historical knowledge along the way.
This is what Stella of Oxford thought of Girl on a Golden Pillow: “Splendid! The descriptions of people , places and events are vivid and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this realistic and empathic story. I was particularly impressed by the attention to detail. I look forward to reading the full trilogy. Every good wishes, Stella”
Simon of Tunbridge Wells wrote via Facebook: “This was a really well researched and good read. I enjoyed every page, and was disappointed when the end came. I’m hoping there will be a second instalment soon. I would really recommend this to anyone who has an interest in the beginning of the second World War.”

OnlineBookClub.org Girl on a Golden Pillow by Hugo Woolley is the first in a historical trilogy that follows the life of a beautiful young teenager named Charlotte. She lost her mother when she was born and was forced to be raised by her aunt, Stella, and her husband, who showed little to no care for her well-being. When Paris got invaded by the Nazis, in connivance with Bo, Charlotte was forced to hide her true identity and pretend to be Bo’s daughter, Freya, for her safety. The Parisian mansion left to her by her grandma was occupied by the SS, and the men in the house were attracted by her girly allure. She wasn’t frightened by the chaos around her; she decided to see it as an adventure. She fell in love with Jost Krupp, a charming SS officer. Read through the pages of this book to learn more about Charlotte and enjoy the full scope of this story.
I love the romantic aspect of this book, starting from the forbidden romance between Joseph and Alice to that of Jost and Charlotte. It helped set a relaxed mood which was different from the tense atmosphere that surrounded the story due to the upcoming war. The author’s descriptions of the characters, locations, and events in this book were very well done. He gave enough details that would easily create a pictorial representation of the events and places in this story in a reader’s mind, and I believe that added to the beauty of the book. Enough suspense was present in this book, especially surrounding the invasion of Paris. One character I took an instant liking to was Theodora. Despite being a minor character, her presence in the story was really felt. I loved how she cared and always looked out for Charlotte, especially how she never entertained the idea of Charlotte joining her line of business but was concerned about getting her to safety instead. I would also say that this book was perfectly edited because I found absolutely no grammatical errors in it.
There is nothing I dislike about this book. The detailed description of events by the author made for a profound and satisfying read.
I rate Girl on a Golden Pillow by Hugo Woolley 5 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed every part of the story. Nothing about the author’s writing style or the characters makes me want to remove a star from it.
I recommended this book to the demographic of readers who are interested in historical fiction with a touch of romance.

Girl on a Golden Pillow is the first in an historical trilogy set before and during the second World War.
Charlotte is born into a life of luxury and tragedy, surrounded by family members, some she can trust, others clearly, she can’t.
As the Germans occupy Paris and Charlotte’s mansion, she has to learn quickly how to survive. At first somewhat naïve, she soon learns.
In the background is the ever-ominous presence of her less than trustworthy uncle, Sir Jason Barrett.
As a fan of history in itself, I loved the way this book didn’t gloss over the more unpleasant parts of events that were happening at this time. The characters are excellent and believable.
A very enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.
The Wasp Trap
Top reviews from Amazon in the United States
- Tanu 4.0 out of 5 stars
- Interesting read!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2025
- Hugo Woolley’s The Wasp Trap is a thrilling historical novel packed with espionage, war secrets, and political intrigue.
Set in the final days of World War II and its aftermath, the story follows Alec Ballentine, a journalist and former war correspondent, who stumbles into a dangerous world of covert operations, secret files, and powerful organizations determined to keep their past hidden.
At the centre of it all are the mysterious “Wasp Trap” files, documents exposing Nazi collaborators and intelligence networks. As Alec digs deeper, he finds himself entangled with former spies, influential politicians, and the remnants of a shadowy group called WASP (War Against Socialist Parties).
Along the way, he crosses paths with fascinating figures like the enigmatic Sir Sussex Tremayne, the sharp and sophisticated Lady Charlotte Saumures, and the formidable Jost Krupp—each holding secrets that could change history. - V.E. 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Great Book
- Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2025
- The Wasp Trap(The Charlotte’s War Trilogy Book 3) by Hugo Woolley is a well-written and engaging book right from the start. With well-wrought, somewhat unpredictable characters like Alec and Charlotte, this war-time mystery grips your imagination and you easily settle into this story. The setting is meticulously described, the pace is steady and the historical nuance to the story makes it all the more interesting as you figure out what happened in this enticing mystery. This book is highly recommended if you enjoy a mix of history, passion, and intrigue.
- rajnish kumar 4.0 out of 5 stars
- Take of human emotions
- Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2025
- The Wasp Trap by Hugo Woolley is a highly vivid and powerful novel that takes readers on a journey into the problems associated with human relationships and their impact on their lives. It is set against the descriptive backdrop of the British countryside, which will take you to a different era. The story follows the protagonist’s introspective unravelling as he deals with loss, his quest for self, and past experiences.
The finely detailed characters are one of the most memorable aspects of this book. The protagonist’s weaknesses are depicted candidly, making him more relavant to the readers. The story expertly blends a dual narrative, combining the protagonist’s present issues with past experiences that show the source of his suffering. The author’s commendable ability to tie various timeframes together flawlessly demonstrates his impeccable storytelling. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to connect emotionally with readers. The simple use of language and investigation of universal issues make for a remarkable and significant read.
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