“A heartbreaking and bittersweet novel about the need for queer joy even in the midst of the horrors of war. The ending had me in tears.”—Malinda Lo, New York Times bestselling and National Book Award–winning author of Last Night at the Telegraph Club

For fans of Ruta Sepetys and Malinda Lo, a heart-wrenching queer historical YA romance set in the Swing Youth movement of World War II Berlin

Charlotte Kraus would follow Angelika Haas anywhere. Which is how she finds herself in an underground club one Friday night the summer before World War II, dancing to contraband American jazz and swing music, suddenly feeling that anything might be possible.

Unable to resist the allure of sharing this secret with Geli, Charlie returns to the club again and again, despite the dangers of breaking the Nazi Party’s rules. Soon, terrified by the tightening vise of Hitler’s power, Charlie and the other Swingjugend are drawn to larger and larger acts of rebellion. But the war will test how much they are willing to risk—and to lose.

From the critically acclaimed author of Who I Was with Her, this beautifully told story of hope, love, and resistance will captivate readers of Girl in the Blue Coat and Last Night at the Telegraph Club.

• Forbidden Love: In the shadow of the Nazi regime, Charlie and Geli’s deepening bond is both their greatest joy and their most dangerous secret.
• The Swing Youth of Berlin: Discover the vibrant, dangerous world of the Swingjugend, German teens who defied Hitler with contraband American jazz, secret dance clubs, and small acts of rebellion.
• Coming of Age in Wartime: For Charlie, every dance with Geli is a step toward discovering who she is, what she believes in, and how much she’s willing to risk for love and freedom.
• Heart-Wrenching Historical Fiction: Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys and Last Night at the Telegraph Club, this novel is a beautifully told, bittersweet story of hope against impossible odds.

"Rival cross-country high school athletes Corinne and Maggie are lovers but have kept their relationship a secret; when Maggie dies, Corinne is left to grieve alone. The story is told in alternating before/after timelines, so readers experience Corinne’s romance with Maggie as well as the aftermath of her death. Suspense is ramped up well as the plot develops to reveal who else knew about but kept their relationship a secret, why, and at what cost. The focus on bisexuality is welcome."